F1 Star Fernando Alonso To Retire At The End Of This Season

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has just announced his intention to not race in the highest echelon of motorsports next year. 

Alonso will end his Formula One career with McLaren F1 Team at the Abu Dhabi race in late November this year. The superstar Spanish driver, known for his combative racing spirit as well as ranting on his radio in recent years, also won the 2018 24-Hour of Le Mans with Toyota Gazoo Racing.  

Prior to re-joining the McLaren F1 Team (he also raced with the team in 2007) in 2015, 37-year-old Alonso spent five years with the illustrious Scuderia Ferrari team, winning at their debut outing at Bahrain grand prix in 2010. Alonso narrowly missed taking the driver’s championship in that year, as well as in 2012.

Click the link above to listen to the collection of fan favourites on Alonso's radio transmissions.

Both of his world driver’s championship (2005 and 2006) were won when he was driving with Renault F1 Team and fighting alongside the legendary Michael Schumacher.

With the poor performance of both the hybrid power unit and machinery since moving to McLaren F1 Team in 2015, Alonso’s 32nd and final victory remains at the Spanish grand prix in 2013 with Scuderia Ferrari. To date, the Spaniard has participated in over 300 grand prix races since his debut with Minardi F1 team in 2001.

It was also during this period of abysmal machinery performance that spurred Alonso to attempt the unofficial ‘Triple Crown of motorsport’- winning three prestigious motor races that are the Monaco Grand Prix, 24-hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. To date, only Graham Hill has achieved this monumental feat with the race victories notched up between the late 60s and early 70s. Alonso has achieved race victories in the first two motor races. 

Fernando Alonso participated in the 2017 Indianapolis 500, his first attempt at the prestigious American race 

With his Formula One commitment set to end in 2018, Alonso will have more time and preparation to return to Indy 500 for a victory and thus, achieve the prestigious Triple Crown.

Fernando Alonso and Toyota Gazoo Racing return to racing this weekend at the 6-hours of Silverstone and then resuming his Formula One duties after a month-long summer break in the McLaren MCL33 at the Belgian grand prix next weekend.

Image credit: McLaren F1 Team twitter and Fernandoalonso.com