Fernando Alonso: “I’m better than that guy and that other guy. I’ll continue thinking like that. How would I feel in the living room, watching TV, thinking that I can do better than them? That’s my feeling”
“First of all, this is my life”. This is how Fernando Alonso began an extensive talk with the ‘BBC’ published this Tuesday, after the announcement of the renewal with Aston Martin, with whom he will continue driving in F1 for at least a year, although it is clear that it could be more.
The pilot from Oviedo reviewed all the factors he had to think about to make a decision. They were not few. I had to think about it a lot. He had to think about what he wanted to do in 2027, if he would have more fun than now with next year’s engine regulation adjustments, he had to understand if the car would run better in 2027 and if Honda will improve, but also understand if he wanted to commit himself body and soul for another year in an F1 with 24 races, 10 of them in sprint format, with more and more events, and now, in addition, being a father.
But above all, when he found positive responses in all areas towards the renewal, there was one factor that confirmed above all that he should continue: he feels at his best in terms of driving level. He couldn’t leave if he still felt better than the rest. It only needs a winning car to make it clear to those who may doubt such a statement. He talked about it at length.
“It’s in my blood, I still compete, I still enjoy it and, in a way, this is a way of life. Probably, for me, the most important thing, or the clearest thing, to continue competing is that I still feel confident in myself and I know that I have something extra,” he commented on the ‘BBC’.
“And when I think about retiring, taking on a different role in the team, stopping driving the car or whatever, I feel like it shouldn’t be like that because I still feel as fast as anyone. So let’s try again. When I get in the car in free practice, I see some drivers braking late in a corner, locking the front wheels here or there, making mistakes. And I feel like I’m fine. Or, I’m faster than them”explained Fernando who continues to get the most out of his car and what he has, but is limited by the weak points of his engine and his car.
When I think about retiring, taking on a different role in the team, stopping driving the car or whatever, I feel like it shouldn’t be like that because I still feel as fast as anyone.
“So, when I change and go home, even after being 18th, in a way I feel a certain satisfaction and pride inside, although it shouldn’t be like that because we are not competitive”he explained, about his level of form, which he cannot convert into good results due to the poor performance of the Honda engine in his Aston Martin and that the chassis is still not a winner.
“How was I going to feel in the living room, watching TV, thinking that I can do better (than them, the rest of the drivers)? That will be my feeling right now. When that changes, if I see that I have lost skills, that I have lost speed, that I have lost reflexes, that I have lost something, then I will be delighted to watch the race from my living room,” he said.
When that changes, if I see that I have lost skills, speed, that I have lost reflexes, that I have lost something, then I will be happy to watch the race from my living room.
“Right now, I feel like it wasn’t the time because I’m better than that guy. I’m better than that other guy. I’ll keep thinking like that. And I can’t stop competing if I keep thinking like that.”He commented, although he is aware that there will be people at home, who only look at the results, who may not see what he feels.
“You only prove your worth when you’re on the podium or on television. That’s when people notice and suddenly remember that you’re still on the grid. So now I’m at peace with this period of time where I’m ‘anonymous’ (because it’s far from the wins), and no one knows that we’re still there and that we’re still fast,” Alonso argued.
Trust the team and Honda
“We are preparing for the moment of truth and that will again be a surprise for everyone”he concluded, warning about the future, showing his confidence in the Aston Martin project, in the aerodynamic concept they are preparing for 2027, and also in the resurgence of Honda, necessary due to the bad start of the Japanese engine, the worst on the grid and very far in terms of power from the rest.
To come back, Aston Martin and Alonso need Honda.
“This team has all the ingredients to be successful in the future and I did not feel that this was the time to leave. It was time to move on, giving Honda a second chance so they could also solve their problems and stay with the team,” he said about the Japanese.
Honda is on the right track. There are no guarantees that the engine will be completely fixed next year, but all the changes happening at Honda make sense, so I have faith
“Adrian (Newey) was probably the one who contributed the most to this. We didn’t start well this year, but things are going in the right direction and he is able to turn things around very quickly.”
“Honda is on the right track. There are no guarantees that the engine will be completely fixed next year, but all the changes that are happening at Honda make sense, so I have faith. The trust I have in the team has not changed even during this difficult year. In the future, I don’t know how long it will take, but it will be a successful team and I want to be part of it“, he concluded in this regard.
In addition, he was confident that his driving fun with the new engines will improve with the adjustments that will be applied in 2027, with more importance for the combustion engine over electricity. And he feels that continuing in F1 will not prevent him from enjoying his son to the fullest. Decide to continue.
