Fernando's farewell fanfare can't conceal sense of wasted talent
2018-11-27
Fernando Alonso burns some rubber in his McLaren to mark his farewell to Formula One following the final race of the Spaniard's F1 career at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. [Photo/Agencies]
Alonso bows out leaving feeling of unfulfilled potential
ABU DHABI - Fernando Alonso said goodbye to Formula One on Sunday amid a fanfare of crowd-pleasing donut spins, generous tributes and a handful of post-race penalties.
After walking through a guard of honor before the start of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso pulled on his helmet and delivered a dogged drive that earned him an 11th-place finish in his final outing with McLaren.
It was a metaphor for much of the Spaniard's career: he nearly finished in the points, just as he nearly became the greatest champion of his era and nearly won titles with Ferrari.
Despite winning two driver crowns with Renault, in 2005 and 2006, the Spaniard leaves behind a feeling that his was an unfulfilled F1 career and a legacy that is as much about his personality as his talent.
"I have been very surprised because I have raced with great champions," he said. "I raced with Michael (Schumacher), I raced with Jenson Button.
"And, two or three years ago, in the same place, it was his last race and no-one had all the things that I have received this weekend. So, I cannot say thanks enough to everyone."
However, Alonso hinted he might even make a comeback after taking a break in 2019 to try and win titles in other motor sports.
"Right now, I am not thinking to come back ... but I don't know how I will feel next year. I need a break now - in 2019 I need different challenges.
"I want to fight for the triple crown (Indianapolis 500, 24 Hour Le Mans and Monaco Grand Prix) and other iconic races. Maybe Daytona. Maybe other things."
Some observers will have smiled at seeing the 37-year-old hit with three penalty points on his license - for cutting the track in his final race - and collecting three five-second time penalties in the race as he battled to win a point.
Fernando Alonso is interviewed by former F1 driver David Coulthard ahead of the 37-year-old's final Formula One race, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on Sunday. HAMAD I MOHAMMED/REUTERS
'Thankful'
Alonso appreciated the gesture from race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and second-place Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari when, in a special tribute, they gave him space to drive with them in a synchronized display of donut spins during the slow-down lap.
"It was a good in-lap," Alonso laughed. "It was improvised and not planned. I saw them doing donuts at turn eight and turn 11 so I caught up.
"Then, one car was on the left, one was on the right, and we kept going like this until the start-finish line. So, I'm really thankful to them for the nice gesture and it was nice to celebrate by seeing the checkered flag."
He admitted, too, that he had not had time to absorb the scale and impact of F1's many messages of praise and good luck.
"Each time I go to my room, I look at my telephone and I see hundreds and hundreds of messages," he said. "I sit down in the chair and somebody knocks on the door to tell me to go out and see a new person.
"So, literally, I've had no time. I need a little bit of time for myself to realize what a magic weekend that I've had."
Alonso leaves the sport with two titles, 32 race wins and boundless admirers for his talent and individuality spread through 17 seasons of success, bad career decisions and profound disappointment.
Once the youngest pole-sitter and youngest champion, he was Spain's first great racing driver. After his bruising season alongside a rookie Hamilton in 2007, which generated serious tensions at McLaren, Alonso moved back to Renault.
Hamilton never lost respect for his old sparring partner and frequently referred to him as the greatest of his rivals. "Fernando is a true legend. It's been a privilege to race when he is racing," the Briton said on Sunday.
