Fernando Alonso Diaz, better known as just Fernando Alonso has been one of, if not the most skilled driver in all of motorsports over the last decade. He’s a fan favorite among Formula 1 fans and has learned to adapt to multiple racing disciplines, He retired from F1 in 2018 after a few rough years racing for McLaren. Now, the racing veteran might have a chance to get back to F1. Not only that but, he could do so alongside some old friends in red. Here’s how.
A Man Of Many Hobbies
Alonso is known for his single-seater career at the world’s top racing category. Nonetheless, he has found a way to entertain himself outside of The Circus, actually, calling them “hobbies” is an understatement, I’ll take that back. The Spanish driver has turned himself into a mad man on wheels. He has taken on the Indianapolis 500 in 2017 and 2019. He missed qualifying for the 2019 edition but has gone as far as leading America’s greatest race a couple of years ago. However, winning was not possible thanks to a blown engine.
Asturias’ favorite driver has taken a likeness to Toyotas in recent times as well. He has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice and the World Endurance Championship with the Japanese manufacturer. Alonso won the 24 hours of Daytona alongside Cadillac as well. During his most recent madness spree, he has taken on rallying. Insanity has reached sky-high levels it seems as he will take on the world’s toughest race on sand competing on the 2020 Dakar Rally.
Waiting For A Sign
Seeing him on board of so many different rides in recent years has been fun for fans but, he has made no long-term commitments to any other racing category since leaving F1. It seems as if he’s waiting for a “Now Hiring” sign to show up and, his timing might be just right.
Making The Most Out Of Trouble In Paradise
The Fernando Alonso F1 journey is a bit of a mess. The 38-year-old found a seat at Minardi in 2001; he left for Renault in 2003 and won back to back championships in 2005 and 2006 before leaving for McLaren. His stint with the British team proved unsuccessful so he returned to Renault in 2008. 2010 saw him race for Ferrari, he stayed there four years until signing with McLaren once again in 2014. That ended in a disaster as the Honda-powered car was slower than my grandma’s wheelchair and had more technical difficulties than a public tv channel.
As you can see, there’s a pattern to the former world champion’s career. He has returned at least once to every team he has raced for. The only one left is the most iconic of them all: Ferrari. To be honest, he could serve the prancing horse well as they have been in a lot of trouble lately.
Driver conflicts, mechanical failures; faster rivals and a driver that hasn’t exactly aged with grace. Ferrari’s 2019 season is not hard to explain. Their car was fast enough to compete with top dogs Mercedes and Red Bull on Saturday’s qualifying runs. Nonetheless, that same fast car turned into Cinderella’s pumpkin come Sunday’s race. To make matters worse, some have had it with the Italian team and look ready to leave as soon as the 2020 season ends.
Battered Vettel Has One Foot On The Door
Remember that driver who aged poorly I mentioned? That’s Sebastian Vettel. The 32-year-old German has crumbled under pressure from teammate Charles Leclerc. It was clear the young Monegasque driver was going to put up a fight from the very start of the season. The drivers’ battle blew up Vettel’s pressure cooker as soon as F1 landed in the Americas.
The former world champion missed out on winning the Canadian Grand Prix after a controversial incident with reigning champ Lewis Hamilton. He did not finish the US Grand Prix due to mechanical failure and took out his teammate at the Brazilian GP in a collision for which he was all to blame.
Seb has hinted retirement from F1 ever since the Canada incident. He has more than a few reasons to do so but he’s still under contract until 2020. If he does leave by this time next year, that’ll be Alonso’s golden ticket to motorsport’s greatest stage.
Fernando Will Be Back
When in desperate times, teams call their former heroes for help. It happens in multiple sports. The Washington Wizards did it with Michael Jordan, so did the Pittsburgh Penguins with Mario Lemieux. Even soccer’s Atletico de Madrid did it as they brought back Fernando Torres shortly before he retired. So, why shouldn’t the struggling horse do the same?
The story with Fernando Alonso would be very different, however. He’s no dying cow looking for greener pastures to await his certain death. Asturia’s favorite driver is in the best shape of his life. With the right car, he could flip the F1 world upside down and make Ferrari’s troubles a thing of the past. Enjoy his rally adventures race fans, they won’t last for long.