That last line is significant – “finish the job”. In signing another F1 contract, it confirms Alonso’s belief that not only can he secure a 33rd Grand Prix victory – a decade after his last triumph – but more impressively, fight for and win a world title nearly two decades after his last.
How on Earth does he do it?
“In modern sport, it’s very difficult to keep an athlete performing at a high level for 20-plus years,” he says. “For me, it was important the sabbatical years, in 2019 and 2020, those two years were enough to refresh and recharge my batteries.
READ MORE: Alonso signs new deal with Aston Martin to end speculation over F1 future
“Without those two years I think it would be impossible. At one point, you have to stop this crazy life in F1 – and for me those two years were crucial in prolonging my stay in the sport.”
It was those two seasons away from the sport, having left McLaren after the British team’s partnership with Honda failed to deliver, that allowed Alonso to reboot himself. He tried other racing challenges, such as the Indy 500 and World Endurance Championship, but realised that nothing gave him the same adrenaline spike as F1.
News Summary:
- BARRETTO: Aston Martin’s masterplan is coming together – so can Alonso ‘finish the job’ and lead them to glory in 2026?
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