Fernando Alonso has reiterated his threat to walk away from F1 unless 2017's new regulations improve the sport.

Rather than the trials and tribulations of McLaren's re-teaming with Honda, which appears at times to take two steps forward then three back, it is his dissatisfaction with today's racing that has driven the Spaniard to the point of saying 'enough'.

In many ways, the difficulties with McLaren-Honda has inspired Alonso to some of his finest performances, but at the same time the driver is left cold by the lack of excitement the current formula is giving him.

Consequently, whether he remains in F1, even to the point of seeing out his contract with McLaren - which has another year to run - depends a lot on what the new regulations produce.

"I'm 35 and I could go on for more years but it's all about motivation and willingness," he Cadena Ser radio. "I'm just thinking about next year. We will see how I feel when the time comes, if I sign a contract extension.

"The hunger is always there," he continued. "After one year and a half without being close to the podium, I have more motivation. I come out as a lion in every race."

Referring to his main gripe, the current formula, he said: "I've said the same for the past two years. Today's cars are less attractive, more boring than to a few years back. It's not the Formula One that we used to know in the first ten years I was racing. Now you don't have that 'wow' feeling, or think 'I can't believe how fast I was through that corner', or 'it's incredible how fast this car is'. You don't have that now, it's much more like normal cars, more boring.

"Today, we spent all race saving tyres, saving fuel," he said, referring to the Singapore race in which a determined drive still only resulted in a distant seventh place, finishing ninety seconds behind the winner. "That goes against a driver's instinct, which is pushing to the maximum.

"Next year, with the change of rules, the cars are going to be five seconds faster and I'm hopeful that Formula One will be more attractive for the driver," he admitted. "And if it's still a Formula One about saving instead of attacking then I'll think if I continue or not, but not because I'm thinking of retiring. There are other things that I want to do.

"The rules will play a key role," he insisted. "If the cars are exciting when you drive them and you are left with that feeling of surprise that Formula One has always had, then you are having fun, regardless of the results.

"In twelve months we'll see where we are and how keen I am to continue, because maybe I see the chance to leave F1 and then I think what I am going to do at home all day. We have to wait and see."

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by SideGlance, 24/09/2016 7:14

"Yes, I agree, I dislike the sound, being frugal makes it NOT racing, rather see more engines, gas and cylinders and less Electric aids.

Where is the raw TERROR in the cars now ?? Where are the fire breathing melodic shrill of a powerful engine being pushed to limit, tires at their margins, distorted faces from drivers due to G force corners - where is the EXCITEMENT ????????"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 21/09/2016 19:15

"Whatever your opinion of Alonso, he is right. F1 cars are a shadow of their former iterations. Progress is not necessarily an improvement - but don't use the "hybrid" as an excuse - LMP1H cars are utterly mind-blowing (I am biased having just watched my second race of this year's series at Austin) - those cars accelerate like.......words fail me, and as for the cornering speeds........ So rules CAN be formulated to include both "green" technologies and spectacular racing. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that is where he ends up, either 2018, or even next year."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by klmn, 21/09/2016 12:43

"Alonso won his wdc with the superior illegal Renault with mass damper. Briatore and he are just cheaters like we saw in Singapore that time , and the guy is still counting his win there."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Jonno, 21/09/2016 10:45

"Off you go Fernando, your constant complaining has become boring. You chose to jump from Ferrari to the McHonda when you knew full well that McLaren hasn't produced a decent car in years and Honda were having to build a new engine from scratch. Could it be the huge paypacket persuaded you to move?

The truth is simple, you're not as good a driver as some people claim. You are not as good a driver as you think. Since you won your last WDC you have been out driven every year by other drivers, one of whom was a complete rookie to F1. Next year McHonda will have another rookie in the garage, is that by any chance a bit of a worry. Have you heard of deja vous?
"

Rating: Negative (-2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by testa rossa, 20/09/2016 15:58

"bye bye Alonso overrated driver who lost a DWC cuz he couldn't beat an average Russian driver despipe a superior car ."

Rating: Negative (-2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by Cobra Driver, 20/09/2016 15:51

"Little wonder Fernando is disgruntled. Watching the pre-race on Sunday during the drivers practice starts using the overly complex grid procedure, I can certainly sympathize with his complaint. The new owners (if they hold) must review technology and its' proper use (not mis-use). Simplify please.
"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by MVR, 20/09/2016 12:33

"When Alonso, probably the best driver on the track today, threatens to quit because it's not real racing anymore, the chaps in charge need to serioulsy take a look at the situation."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

8. Posted by You Started It!!, 20/09/2016 10:52

"He's right and he might as well go. F1 is not going to improve."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Alonso reiterates quit threat

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page