Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has announced that he will retire from Formula One racing at the conclusion of the current racing season. The 37-year-old Spaniard will end his F1 career with McLaren after making his debut at the Australian Grand Prix of 2001.
“After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport it’s time for me to make a change and move on,” said Alonso in an official statement. “I made this decision some months ago and it was a firm one. There are still several grands prix to go this season, and I will take part in them with more commitment and passion than ever. Let’s see what the future brings; new exciting challenges are around the corner. I’m having one of the happiest times ever in my life but I need to go on exploring new adventures.”
Alonso won the F1 titles in 2005 and 2006 while racing for Renault but has been frustrated since and has instead begun to turn his attention to achieving the so-called Triple Crown of auto racing – winning the Monaco Grand Prix in F1, winning the Indianapolis 500 and winning in endurance racing at LeMans. In June he won an easy victory as part of a stacked team at Le Mans 24 Hours but failed in an attempt to win at Indy in 2017.
Englishman Graham Hill is currently the only racer to have successfully completed the so-called Triple Crown of motorsport.
Alonso’s F1 record is sterling – albeit dated – having racked up 32 wins and 97 podium finishes with his last podium finish in 2014 and his last win in 2013.
