"I think it has been enough": When Fernando Alonso decided to prioritize life beyond Formula 1

F1 driver Fernando Alonso walked away from the sport after the 2018 season, and at the time he cited the reason being that he had done enough in the sport, and wanted to focus on other aspects in his life. The Spanish driver spoke in an interview about his time in F1, fulfilling his dreams, and now wanting to do other things after dedicating his life to motorsports.

The former McLaren driver first talked about the sacrifices he's made, and how he doesn't want to do that anymore. Speaking in an interview just before he raced in the Abu Dhabi GP in 2018, he said (via New York Times):

“Formula One requires total dedication of your life. All other things are not important: Family is not important, friendships are not important, love is not important. If you want to succeed in Formula One, you need to dedicate your life, so I think it has been enough.”

He also spoke about how the beginnings of his career to the two championships he's won in this sport has been like in comparison to what he imagined for himself:

“The day I then made my debut in Australia, I never thought I would have a single podium. Starting with Minardi, and seeing the likes of Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, I was in an environment that seemed too big for me. With the championships and grand prix wins, it has been better than in my best dreams of 17 years ago.”

Also highlighting the persona one must have to compete in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso said:

“You need to be a character, someone that you build over the years. Sometimes you can be a little more humble, sometimes a little more rude, sometimes a little more arrogant."

At the time of his exit from the sport, Fernando Alonso had secured two Drivers' Championships in 2005 and 2006. He also had 32 wins and 97 podium finishes, and came second in the Drivers' Championships in 2010 and 2012, missing out on the trophy by a few points each time.

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Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz talk about Fernando Alonso's exit from F1

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore, 2017 - Source: Getty

After competing in F1 for 18 years, Fernando Alonso's exit was impactful for other drivers, including competitors Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. Both drivers expressed that the sport was losing an important driver with Alonoso's exit.

Speaking in 2018 during Fernando's last season, Lewis Hamilton, who was a five-time WDC winner himself at the time said (via New York Times):

“It is sad he leaves as only a two-time world champion, but I don’t view him like that. I see him as a multiple world champion, with his pure talent the highest I’ve experienced of all those I’ve raced against.”

Alonso's exit was also significant for fellow Spanish driver, Carlos Sainz, who was driving for Renault at the time. Sainz said:

“His talent is unquestionable, one of the best in the history of our sport. For the pinnacle of motorsport to be without its most complete driver is a big loss."

Interestingly, Sainz also added:

“I hope one day he falls in love again with Formula One and he comes back, that he will find it a bit more attractive, a sport where a driver can make a big difference, which is what we all want.”

Fernando Alonso did return to F1 in 2021, first racing for the rebranded Renault team called Alpine, and then with Aston Martin, replacing retiring driver Sebastian Vettel. The 2024 season saw Alonso place 9th in the Drivers' standings, after scoring 70 points.