Fernando Alonso says Barcelona GP may be his last F1 race in Spain as Catalunya alternates off calendar hints at possible retirement soon
HOME favourite and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said Thursday this weekend’s Catalunya Grand Prix might be his final Formula One race in Barcelona.
The Aston Martin driver, who turns 45 next month, has not announced any plans to retire, but with Barcelona set to alternate on the calendar with Spa-Francorchamps, he admitted he may never compete at the circuit again.
“It’s going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula One, so thanks to everyone,” Alonso told reporters.
“I don’t have anything in mind yet, after the summer I will make the decision over whether to continue or not, but Barcelona won’t be in the calendar next year.
“If I don’t know what I’ll do next year, then I can’t be sure of what I will do in two years.”
Alonso has been frustrated with his car this season but did score a first point last weekend in Monaco as the Spaniard came in 10th.
“I will not be competitive and I will not be long in Q1, but hopefully everyone can enjoy the weekend,” said the Asturian.
“For me, the hardest thing is to not win races and not be competitive,” he continued.
“If this is the last (race in Barcelona) or not is not affecting (me) too much, I am at peace with my career.
“I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid.”
Alonso said his team did not “deserve” the point he scored last week “in terms of pure pace” and said the struggles were bound to continue.
“(It) will be difficult to score this year, to grab any point you need some help from the cars in front,” he added.
Alonso won at Montmelo in 2006 and 2013, with the former standing out as his favourite memory at the circuit.
“When you win, it becomes a special race. So I have to say 2006, because there were great expectations for us after winning the championship in 2005,” he said.
“Being on pole, everyone expected me to win that Sunday… I’ll remember that as the best memory.”
