Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso says he hopes to remain in the sport for another two or three years.

Lured back by the promise of the rules overhaul, since returning last year the Spaniard has consistently shown that he has lost none of his skills or guile. Indeed, like a fine wine he appears to have improved with age.

However, with a number of much-fancied young guns rising through the ranks, it is understandable that members of the Australian media were keen to ask when (Alpine reserve driver) F1 champion Oscar Piastri might make the move up to a full-time seat, but clearly Alonso has no intention of moving aside any time soon.

"I will race, I guess, a couple more years, two or three more years," said the Spaniard. "If it is with Alpine it will be good, if it is with another team it will be good as well, but I will find out and I will start these discussions probably in summer. Let's see.

"As I said at the beginning of the year, I still feel competitive and fast and feel that I am enjoying time in Formula 1," he added.

"Obviously if I was 25 there will not be this talk," he continued, "it's an age thing, that people try to find a way for the young talents, but I think this is about performance. Last year I think I did well, I finished slightly in front of Esteban, let's see this year how the battle goes."

Asked specifically about Piastri, Alonso replied: "If he is with Alpine, it will be good. If he's with another team, it will be good as well."

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1. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 08/04/2022 17:21

"As much fun as he was, I'm glad Kimi retired. I think Vettle and Alonso should probably retire too. I understand and appreciate their passion for the sport. But they're not going to challenge for the WDC in their current teams. And are unlikely to be in a car that will challenge for a WDC ever again. They have nothing left to prove, and should move on to the next phase, whether that's racing in a different category (eg WEC, Formula E, etc) or some non-driving racing role, or something outside of motorsports entirely.

Hamilton is getting close to that point that I'd like to see him retire too. He's still got this season and possibly next to "prove something" with an 8th WDC. Beyond that he should retire too.

Drivers continuing to race when they're clearly past their prime, and stuck in a midling car with no real prospect to get back to a top car, should gracefully bow out and find another category to prove themselves in, or just retire from competitive driving. That would make room for young, up and coming drivers to get their break. While occasionally you get lucky like Hamilton to come into a top team from the start most need a couple/three seasons in a backmarker or mid-field team to prove they have what it takes for F1 and get a seat in a top team. Old drivers taking up space in those teams is just denying those young guys (and the occasional gal) the chance they need.

There are other drivers I'd like to also see gone and replaced with the likes of Piastri, et al, but that's for simple performance reasons and for a different post."

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Alonso eyes two or more years in F1

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