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I read that Fernando Alonso will be working hard on the phone this summer to secure a drive for 2021. He thinks that at 39 he will still be able to match the best, and that the new regs will shake up the pecking order and give teams other than the big 3 a chance. (Not that he's ruling a seat with them out).

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me, but with Hamilton and Vettel out of contract who knows?.

tim3003 wrote:I read that Fernando Alonso will be working hard on the phone this summer to secure a drive for 2021. He thinks that at 39 he will still be able to match the best, and that the new regs will shake up the pecking order and give teams other than the big 3 a chance. (Not that he's ruling a seat with them out).

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me, but with Hamilton and Vettel out of contract who knows?.

He obviously feels like he has some unfinished business. Whilst i think it would be good for F1 to have Alonso back (I don't think the current grid is overly strong and particularly week on proven success) I'm surprised he's that keen. I'd have thought he'd be having more fun at the moment going round competing in the big races.

Wouldn't surprise me to see him back to be honest, but it would surprise me if he got a drive at one of the current top teams.

That said with the regulations shake up if he can get himself into a midfield team they could spring a surprise come 2021. On balance however I feel like him coming back would just result in more great performances in sub par machinery, and more 'what if?' questions. I'd rather see him crack the Indy500 and compete in the new WEC hypercars personally.

mikeyg123 wrote:He obviously feels like he has some unfinished business. Whilst i think it would be good for F1 to have Alonso back (I don't think the current grid is overly strong and particularly week on proven success) I'm surprised he's that keen. I'd have thought he'd be having more fun at the moment going round competing in the big races.

In the article if F1 Racing he makes it clear that Indy/Le Mans/Dakar etc keep him sharp, but F1 is what really matters to him. Maybe it's taken a year out of F1 to make him realise that..

mikeyg123 wrote:

tim3003 wrote:I read that Fernando Alonso will be working hard on the phone this summer to secure a drive for 2021. He thinks that at 39 he will still be able to match the best, and that the new regs will shake up the pecking order and give teams other than the big 3 a chance. (Not that he's ruling a seat with them out).

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me, but with Hamilton and Vettel out of contract who knows?.

He obviously feels like he has some unfinished business. Whilst i think it would be good for F1 to have Alonso back (I don't think the current grid is overly strong and particularly week on proven success) I'm surprised he's that keen. I'd have thought he'd be having more fun at the moment going round competing in the big races.

Alonso seemingly doesn't have the same opinion as you and what might actually be considered as being big races.

tim3003 wrote:I read that Fernando Alonso will be working hard on the phone this summer to secure a drive for 2021. He thinks that at 39 he will still be able to match the best, and that the new regs will shake up the pecking order and give teams other than the big 3 a chance. (Not that he's ruling a seat with them out).

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me, but with Hamilton and Vettel out of contract who knows?.

Hamilton is due to sign another contract whilst if Vettel left Ferrari I think he would be replaced by the likes of Ricciardo or the Hulk but not Alonso.

Black_Flag_11 wrote:Wouldn't surprise me to see him back to be honest, but it would surprise me if he got a drive at one of the current top teams.

That said with the regulations shake up if he can get himself into a midfield team they could spring a surprise come 2021. On balance however I feel like him coming back would just result in more great performances in sub par machinery, and more 'what if?' questions. I'd rather see him crack the Indy500 and compete in the new WEC hypercars personally.

He has many years to race in the likes of the Indy 500, not so many years left to race in F1, even Alonso can't beat Father time.

pokerman wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:

tim3003 wrote:I read that Fernando Alonso will be working hard on the phone this summer to secure a drive for 2021. He thinks that at 39 he will still be able to match the best, and that the new regs will shake up the pecking order and give teams other than the big 3 a chance. (Not that he's ruling a seat with them out).

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me, but with Hamilton and Vettel out of contract who knows?.

He obviously feels like he has some unfinished business. Whilst i think it would be good for F1 to have Alonso back (I don't think the current grid is overly strong and particularly week on proven success) I'm surprised he's that keen. I'd have thought he'd be having more fun at the moment going round competing in the big races.

Alonso seemingly doesn't have the same opinion as you and what might actually be considered as being big races.

I think anyone would consider Dakar, Daytona and Indy 50 big races.

It seems though that Alonso would rather race in F1. If he does come back I hope its is because he would rather be in that out and not because he is expecting to win anymore WDC's or perhaps even races. Just enjoy it for what it is.

He left as the best driver in the sport a feat rarely achieved. If he comes back I doubt he'll have that chance again.

Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

mikeyg123 wrote:

pokerman wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:

tim3003 wrote:I read that Fernando Alonso will be working hard on the phone this summer to secure a drive for 2021. He thinks that at 39 he will still be able to match the best, and that the new regs will shake up the pecking order and give teams other than the big 3 a chance. (Not that he's ruling a seat with them out).

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me, but with Hamilton and Vettel out of contract who knows?.

He obviously feels like he has some unfinished business. Whilst i think it would be good for F1 to have Alonso back (I don't think the current grid is overly strong and particularly week on proven success) I'm surprised he's that keen. I'd have thought he'd be having more fun at the moment going round competing in the big races.

Alonso seemingly doesn't have the same opinion as you and what might actually be considered as being big races.

I think anyone would consider Dakar, Daytona and Indy 50 big races.

It seems though that Alonso would rather race in F1. If he does come back I hope its is because he would rather be in that out and not because he is expecting to win anymore WDC's or perhaps even races. Just enjoy it for what it is.

He left as the best driver in the sport a feat rarely achieved. If he comes back I doubt he'll have that chance again.

I don't, Dakar and Daytona mean nothing to me, I acknowledge the Indy 500 but then again the only interest I took in that the last 10 years is when Alonso took part in it.

Alonso has now experienced these things and realised that F1 is bigger, it's a shame the situation he's found himself in but I believe it's been largely self inflicted.

I think Alonso is a great driver but your view that Alonso left F1 as the best driver is just your opinion.

mikeyg123 wrote:Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

Yeah certain doors have to open for him that presently look to be closed, it needs some drivers to perform poorly this year.

mikeyg123 wrote:Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

Aren't Mclaren in talks with Mercedes for their engine in 2021? If they get it I'm sure Norris could be farmed out. Mclaren could be his best shot..

tim3003 wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

Aren't Mclaren in talks with Mercedes for their engine in 2021? If they get it I'm sure Norris could be farmed out. Mclaren could be his best shot..

Mclaren are taking Merc engines for 2021. I'm not sure that will help Alonso though. Unless Merc put Norris in the first team they aren't going to be going out there way to help Mclaren get Alonso in the car.

And to be honest I don't see Mclaren dumping Norris for Alonso either.

I definitely believe Alonso values another chance at an F1 championship way more than any other sporting achievement. In 2012, he was asked what he would give for a third championship, to which he pointed down and answered, 'my arm'. I don't think that desire has left him yet.

With the talk of Mercedes leaving, his best chance is likely that Hamilton joins Ferrari and the new Brackley team look for a world class replacement for him short term. He has already somewhat ruled out Ferrari, which is quite surprising as I don't think it would be the worst idea to have Alonso further mentor Leclerc to be the next best thing. I think the only other option for him then would be Renault, and that relies on either Ocon or Ricciardo making way. Unfortunately, I would say the possibility of him returning is quite low.

As someone said on twitter/instagram (can't remember who or on which platform)... I'll eat cat s**t if Alonso is in F1 in 2021, or ever again for that matter.

mikeyg123 wrote:

tim3003 wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

Aren't Mclaren in talks with Mercedes for their engine in 2021? If they get it I'm sure Norris could be farmed out. Mclaren could be his best shot..

Mclaren are taking Merc engines for 2021. I'm not sure that will help Alonso though. Unless Merc put Norris in the first team they aren't going to be going out there way to help Mclaren get Alonso in the car.

And to be honest I don't see Mclaren dumping Norris for Alonso either.

I don't think so. I think Norris has engrained himself in the team so well, and he and Sainz work and gel so well together that Brown wouldn't want to change a thing. I think it's more likely that if and when Alonso decides to come back it would be with Ferrari, Mercedes, POSSIBLY Red Bull, or Renault alongside Ricciardo if he doesn't bolt thanks to Abiteboul continuing to run the team as poorly as he has, and he'd have to be gone before Alonso Returned with them.

I don't think Alonso will return to F1.

Paolo_Lasardi wrote:I don't think Alonso will return to F1.

I would agree. If he does make it back on slim odds, I would love to see him at Haas. The two yokels that Gene and Gunther have had driving for them don't seem to be getting the maximum out of the car. Put Freddy in Romain's seat for 2021!!

tim3003 wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

Aren't Mclaren in talks with Mercedes for their engine in 2021? If they get it I'm sure Norris could be farmed out. Mclaren could be his best shot..

McLaren already have a Mercedes contract for 2021, whilst Mercedes have never shown any interest in Norris in particular because they have Russell in waiting who is probably better than Norris presently.

F1 MERCENARY wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:

tim3003 wrote:

mikeyg123 wrote:Thinking about it even the decent midfield teams are not going to be easy to get into without a shift anywhere (Vettel or Hamilton retiring basically). Ricciardo and Ocon are both in contract at Renault, Perez is in at Racing Point and would they really sack Stroll? Mclaren could be a possibility if Norris trounces Sainz but that's probably unlikely.

I can't see Alonso at Haas or Williams.

Aren't Mclaren in talks with Mercedes for their engine in 2021? If they get it I'm sure Norris could be farmed out. Mclaren could be his best shot..

Mclaren are taking Merc engines for 2021. I'm not sure that will help Alonso though. Unless Merc put Norris in the first team they aren't going to be going out there way to help Mclaren get Alonso in the car.

And to be honest I don't see Mclaren dumping Norris for Alonso either.

I don't think so. I think Norris has engrained himself in the team so well, and he and Sainz work and gel so well together that Brown wouldn't want to change a thing. I think it's more likely that if and when Alonso decides to come back it would be with Ferrari, Mercedes, POSSIBLY Red Bull, or Renault alongside Ricciardo if he doesn't bolt thanks to Abiteboul continuing to run the team as poorly as he has, and he'd have to be gone before Alonso Returned with them.

Alonso would like to drive for those teams but he simply does not have those options available to him.

pokerman wrote:Alonso would like to drive for those teams but he simply does not have those options available to him.

I'm not sure about Renault. I think they might be happy enough to move Ocon out of the way if they could get Alonso.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - nope.

Exediron wrote: I'm not sure about Renault. I think they might be happy enough to move Ocon out of the way if they could get Alonso.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - nope.

Why would he risk Renault? They're underperforming and their long-term future isn't certain. Alonso wants championships. At least Mclaren are on an upward curve. 2021 will be a gamble whoever he signs for but outside the big 3 I'd say they're his best shot. Don't forget the farewells from both sides in 2018 were 'Au revoir' not 'Goodbye'. The future relationship was kept open..

Plus, if Merc are looking at selling their team, what better than to revert to an engine manufacturer supplying 2 of the best teams? Toto Wolf might quite like bequeathing his board that Alonso vs Hamilton scenario when he joins Liberty..

tim3003 wrote:

Exediron wrote: I'm not sure about Renault. I think they might be happy enough to move Ocon out of the way if they could get Alonso.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - nope.

Why would he risk Renault? They're underperforming and their long-term future isn't certain. Alonso wants championships. At least Mclaren are on an upward curve. 2021 will be a gamble whoever he signs for but outside the big 3 I'd say they're his best shot. Don't forget the farewells from both sides in 2018 were 'Au revoir' not 'Goodbye'. The future relationship was kept open..

Plus, if Merc are looking at selling their team, what better than to revert to an engine manufacturer supplying 2 of the best teams? Toto Wolf might quite like bequeathing his board that Alonso vs Hamilton scenario when he joins Liberty..

If Alonso wants to come back to F1 he needs to forget about winning championships. He likely won't be in the position to.

If he comes back it should be to enjoy being an F1 driver even if that is in the midfield. If he doesn't have that attitude he will only get frustrated again.

Exediron wrote:

pokerman wrote:Alonso would like to drive for those teams but he simply does not have those options available to him.

I'm not sure about Renault. I think they might be happy enough to move Ocon out of the way if they could get Alonso.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - nope.

I'm just wondering why the need to buy out Ocon's contract if Ricciardo is out of contract for 2021?

tim3003 wrote:

Exediron wrote: I'm not sure about Renault. I think they might be happy enough to move Ocon out of the way if they could get Alonso.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - nope.

Why would he risk Renault? They're underperforming and their long-term future isn't certain. Alonso wants championships. At least Mclaren are on an upward curve. 2021 will be a gamble whoever he signs for but outside the big 3 I'd say they're his best shot. Don't forget the farewells from both sides in 2018 were 'Au revoir' not 'Goodbye'. The future relationship was kept open..

Plus, if Merc are looking at selling their team, what better than to revert to an engine manufacturer supplying 2 of the best teams? Toto Wolf might quite like bequeathing his board that Alonso vs Hamilton scenario when he joins Liberty..

No the relationship was closed at the end of last year when Alonso was released from his ambassadorial role with the team, he's not even going to be racing for McLaren at the Indy 500 but another team.

The rumours about Mercedes selling their F1 operation is looking to be a bit pie in the sky.

mikeyg123 wrote:

tim3003 wrote:

Exediron wrote: I'm not sure about Renault. I think they might be happy enough to move Ocon out of the way if they could get Alonso.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull - nope.

Why would he risk Renault? They're underperforming and their long-term future isn't certain. Alonso wants championships. At least Mclaren are on an upward curve. 2021 will be a gamble whoever he signs for but outside the big 3 I'd say they're his best shot. Don't forget the farewells from both sides in 2018 were 'Au revoir' not 'Goodbye'. The future relationship was kept open..

Plus, if Merc are looking at selling their team, what better than to revert to an engine manufacturer supplying 2 of the best teams? Toto Wolf might quite like bequeathing his board that Alonso vs Hamilton scenario when he joins Liberty..

If Alonso wants to come back to F1 he needs to forget about winning championships. He likely won't be in the position to.

If he comes back it should be to enjoy being an F1 driver even if that is in the midfield. If he doesn't have that attitude he will only get frustrated again.

I believe he knows this but he's hoping the new regulations will give him a better competitive chance.

JN23 wrote:As someone said on twitter/instagram (can't remember who or on which platform)... I'll eat cat s**t if Alonso is in F1 in 2021, or ever again for that matter.

Please be aware we'll hold you to that, and require evidence

39yrs old and 2 years out the sport. Rarely in sport do these things have fairytale endings. More often than not the narrative goes along the lines of a washed up star, trying to relive past glory.

No doubt he would still be very good, but he isn't going to be a better driver than when he left. A fractional drop off is all takes from being brilliant to being merely decent.

Plus what options are available to him?

P-F1 Mod wrote:

JN23 wrote:As someone said on twitter/instagram (can't remember who or on which platform)... I'll eat cat s**t if Alonso is in F1 in 2021, or ever again for that matter.

Please be aware we'll hold you to that, and require evidence

Badgeronimous wrote:39yrs old and 2 years out the sport. Rarely in sport do these things have fairytale endings. More often than not the narrative goes along the lines of a washed up star, trying to relive past glory.

No doubt he would still be very good, but he isn't going to be a better driver than when he left. A fractional drop off is all takes from being brilliant to being merely decent.

Plus what options are available to him?

Indeed I would say that Michael Schumacher lost a vital couple of tenths, I guess that 40 might be seen as a convenient round number but I think once you turn 40 you're starting on a downward spiral.

Paolo_Lasardi wrote:I don't think Alonso will return to F1.

I agree, i think hes putting this out there to tempt the big teams.

Realistically i cant see them signing him, maybe McLaren or Renault will? Will they be competitive enough to tempt him?

If Vettel jacks it in and Hamilton jumps to Ferrari then *maybe* you can see a space at Mercedes for a couple of years (if you really squint)

I guess at this point there's no harm in Alonso trying to get his name in the mix again

I doubt it'll happen, but you never know

theARE wrote:If Vettel jacks it in and Hamilton jumps to Ferrari then *maybe* you can see a space at Mercedes for a couple of years (if you really squint)

I guess at this point there's no harm in Alonso trying to get his name in the mix again

I doubt it'll happen, but you never know

Hamilton doesn't need Vettel to retire to join Ferrari.

pokerman wrote:

theARE wrote:If Vettel jacks it in and Hamilton jumps to Ferrari then *maybe* you can see a space at Mercedes for a couple of years (if you really squint)

I guess at this point there's no harm in Alonso trying to get his name in the mix again

I doubt it'll happen, but you never know

Hamilton doesn't need Vettel to retire to join Ferrari.

Hamilton doesn't no, but Alonso does need one of those 2 to disappear if he wants to get back into a front running team
Hamilton is still at his peak, and Vettel is in the doldrums - of the 2, the most likely to quit is Vettel

ole' fred sure does like to keep his name in the headlines. seems he is a bit perplexed no top team is beating down his door to sign him.
honda kept the door closed on him for indy too

theARE wrote:

pokerman wrote:

theARE wrote:If Vettel jacks it in and Hamilton jumps to Ferrari then *maybe* you can see a space at Mercedes for a couple of years (if you really squint)

I guess at this point there's no harm in Alonso trying to get his name in the mix again

I doubt it'll happen, but you never know

Hamilton doesn't need Vettel to retire to join Ferrari.

Hamilton doesn't no, but Alonso does need one of those 2 to disappear if he wants to get back into a front running team
Hamilton is still at his peak, and Vettel is in the doldrums - of the 2, the most likely to quit is Vettel

I think he would have more chance if Hamilton retired which is not going to happen anytime soon it appears, I think Vettel can be readily replaced with Ricciardo.

pc27b wrote:ole' fred sure does like to keep his name in the headlines. seems he is a bit perplexed no top team is beating down his door to sign him.
honda kept the door closed on him for indy too

Liberty Media even tried to find him a top seat for this year.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2019/12/12 ... s-bristle/