On 23 November 2018, Fernando Alonso said in Abu Dhabi that he did not rule out a future return to Formula 1, despite the weekend marking his farewell with McLaren.
Fernando Alonso arrived at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix knowing it was officially his final Formula 1 weekend with McLaren. Yet during interviews on 23 November, he made it clear that his departure was not a definitive goodbye. Instead, he emphasised that the timing of his exit was driven by a desire to pursue new challenges rather than a lack of motivation for F1 itself.
Fernando Alonso Díaz
- Races (starts):426
- Wins:32
- Podiums:106
- Pole positions:22
- Fastest laps:26
- Driver of the Day:7
- World titles:2
- Points (total):2393
Data source: F1DB (GitHub)
Alonso explained that he still enjoyed the driving aspect and the competitive tension, but felt that the project at McLaren needed time to recover. By leaving the door open to a future comeback, he acknowledged both his own curiosity and the possibility that a more competitive opportunity might arise later. His remarks added a layer of intrigue to a weekend otherwise framed as a farewell celebration.
The sentiment fitted a career defined by ambition and adaptability. Even as tributes filled the paddock, Alonso maintained a pragmatic tone, focusing on his immediate goals outside F1 while reminding the sport that he was not closing the book entirely. It became a fitting theme for a driver whose career had consistently blended realism, intensity and an openness to future possibilities.
