Fernando Alonso has been urged to remain in Formula 1 by its CEO, Stefano Domenicali, who has acknowledged that the sport ‘needs heroes’.
The Spaniard is in his 23rd season of competition. having made his debut 26 years ago, firmly cementing himself as the sport’s outright elder statesman.
But this season has not been a happy one, with just one point to show for his endeavours amid the struggles currently suffered by Aston Martin.
The Silverstone-based squad has been forced to languish at the back of the field as the team continues to work on improving its problematic Honda power unit.
Alonso has been linked with a sensational move back to Alpine, the team he left to join Aston in 2023, a move that would see him reunited with Flavio Briatore.
But over the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix weekend, the 44-year-old hinted at his retirement coming sooner than later, suggesting it would be his last race at the circuit, as it begins a one-year-on-one-year-off rotation on the calendar.
But Domencali, who was Alonso’s Team Principal at Ferrari, issued a plea for the two-time World Champion to remain in the sport.
“I suffer a lot for Alonso, because I have a lot of respect for him and I know he’s fantastic,” the Italian told Spanish publication AS.
“But I know that he is a resilient person. He will have the opportunity, I hope, if they give him a good car to show the talent he has.
“His mentality is one of fearless commitment, at all levels. He needs the right project. I hope he will be here and not just for a year, for a long time.”
Age is but a number: Fernando Alonso ‘still very strong’ in the right car
Whilst the AMR26 is not giving Alonso the chance to show his worth and that none of his talent has dwindled, performances for the team since joining has proved that he can perform to a very high level.
The sport has no doubt felt a twinge or two of panic this year, with drivers such as Max Verstappen voicing their disapproval of the new regulations, and conveying a sense of contentment at racing in another category.
And Domenicali appeared to indicate that Alonso’s commitment to F1, regardless of his age and his new family, would be a very welcome development.
“It’s a fact that we need heroes,” the Italian said. “That’s why I expect Fernando to stay for a long time, with the right car he’s still very strong.”
“It’s not the time to talk about that because I want to see him here for a long time.”
Alonso’s future will become clearer as the season continues, and may depend on the readiness and success of Aston’s mooted upgrades for a supposed debut some time in the European season.
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