Jenson Button has weighed in on the ongoing rumour mill surrounding the future of Fernando Alonso in Formula 1, hinting of hope the Spaniard will stay on amid what is a “difficult” decision.
The two-time World Champion has been at the centre of media scrutiny about whether he may retire at the end of the season, for what would be the second time in the sport.
Alonso has endured a tough season with Aston Martin, as the Silverstone-based squad was placed on the back foot with an underdeveloped car and a painfully underperforming Honda power unit.
A mini charge of rejuvenation has been led by Alonso, with a ninth-place finish in Zandvoort, making him the 14th-oldest points-scorer in F1 history – suffiecient proof that he has lost none of his old skill.
Ahead of the race, Alonso told media, including Motorsport Week, that he was weighing up his options, intimating that he would remain with Aston as a driver or otherwise, but reiterated an urge to still compete.
Fernando Alonso has ‘exciting challenge’ waiting should he continue in F1 – Button
Button, writing on Aston’s website in his role as a team ambassador, reflected on his own retirement from F1 and offered his view on his former McLaren teammate’s dilemma.
“I knew when it was time for me to retire from F1,” the 2009 World Champion began.
“I retired aged 36, nine years younger than Fernando, but I was ready. I’d spent a couple of years struggling with racing because I didn’t really want to be there. It felt like there wasn’t anything new for me to achieve and when you get to that point you know it’s time to go.
“But I think the difference for Fernando is there’s still an exciting challenge in front of him. Obviously, this year has been tough, but it’s still an exciting time to be at Aston Martin Aramco and to be working with people like Adrian Newey. Any F1 driver would love to race a car designed by him, and to experience firsthand him driving this team forward.
“I know how difficult it is to decide your future, and he’s been there once before. He left the sport and came back, so he obviously left too early. Now, he will make sure that he’s 100 per cent certain that he doesn’t want to be in the sport before he leaves.
“Fernando’s still got so much more to give in F1. I would love to see him in an Aston Martin fighting for wins. That’s where he should be, and it’s where this team is aiming to be. He hasn’t won as much as he should have. He’s found himself in unlucky situations a few times, one alongside me, but the talent and hunger is still there, which is the key to staying in the sport and being competitive.”
Alonso will be likely braced for a tough weekend on the perennial ‘power circuit’ of Monza, as F1 heads to the ‘Temple of Speed’ for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
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