Alonso threatens to quit in 2010

Eurosport - Wed, 03 Dec 12:05:00 2008

Double world champion Fernando Alonso would think about quitting Formula One if the sport adopted a standard engine from 2010

FORMULA 1 2008 Brazilian GP Fernando Alonso Renault Foto: EFE - 0

"If they approved that, it would be the last straw. It would be time to think about retirement," the Spaniard said.

Formula One's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), said in October it intended to change the rules to force teams to use a standard engine from 2010 as part of a cost-cutting drive.

It has since launched a tender for bids to provide the engine, although it said this was only one of three options being considered.

Champions Ferrari, who could well figure in Alonso's future, and Toyota have already said they will consider pulling out if standard engines were imposed.

Alonso, champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006, said Formula One was going backwards technically with recent regulation changes.

"In 2005 we had a V10 engine with 1,000 horsepower," he said. "That was what was exciting for the driver, motor racing at the limit.

"We have gone from the futuristic to cars without grip or electronic aids which look like something from the past."

Alonso won two races for Renault this year with the French manufacturer recovering from early doldrums to end the year in fourth place overall.

In 2009, with the introduction of slick tyres and the new KERS device that recovers energy from the brakes to provide extra bursts of power, the Spaniard said he would be going for the title again.

"I cannot allow myself to start the championship without thinking I am going to win," he said. "My aim and that of the team is the title. It's a very clear objective, even if as the year progresses one may have to adapt to circumstances."

Reuters

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  1. I think that the person who wrote this article­ misinterpreted Fernando's words. He said that he­ might consider quitting, but it was not for sure. ­ Anyway, I highly doubt that he would leave. He is the­ best driver in Formaula One (possibly even ever). If­ he did quit, I bet that the ratings would plumit (all­ over the world, not just in Spain). And as for all of­ those haters out there, you are all fools. You­ couldn't spot talent if it hit you in the face.

    From Alexandra, on Wed 3 Dec 2:26AM

  2. i agree with alonso ,shame to say the sport i love is­ pretty much dead

    From ian, on Wed 3 Dec 2:04AM

  3. paul t . You need to see a shrink . You have some­ very serious problems. Oh !! and by the way, your­ grammar is as pathetic as your typing skills.

    Slim ( a­ McLarens fan )

    From slimj, on Wed 3 Dec 1:51AM

  4. Who cares what "sour grape" Alonso thinks!­ what a loser he is!!

    From Edward, on Wed 3 Dec 12:54AM

  5. Fernando doesn't like the idea of a standardised­ engine. I'm not surprised though, look what­ happened the last time he had to use the same engine as­ a truly world class driver - Lewis outshone him. ­ He's just worried that he'll be found out by­ Lewis again, plus Kimi, Vettel, Kubica.....

    Alonso­ jibe out of the way - of course he's right. F1 is­ supposed to be the pinacle of motorsport. IndyCar and­ Champs Car drivers dreamt of driving in F1 when at the­ top of their respective championships. F3000, GP2, F3­ drivers all aim to get into F1. That is where the best­ of the best want to race. And once they are there the­ only reason retiring from F1 early and/or for going to­ a different series is if you aren't good enough. ­ Alonso is good enough, he's one of the very best,­ but the best drivers will only want to stay if F1 is­ the best series in the world, and all of these daft­ ideas from Bernie and the FIA recently will knock F1­ firmly from being the pinnacle of motorsport.

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 3 Dec 12:49AM

  6. Just another teasing headline...

    Ferrari have said­ they are against the single engine idea (and rightly­ so), therefore it will not happen.

    Alonso won't­ quit, the world will keep spinning, life will go­ on.

    Phew, i'm glad that's been sorted out.

    From Scottish C, on Wed 3 Dec 12:43AM

  7. Fernando is right! F1 is supposed to be the forefront­ of technical advancement and pushing the driver and car­ to the limits. Making all the cars the same and trying­ to "vanilla" the sport is a major step­ backwards. Ferrari, Toyota and Fernando Alonso are all­ thinking the same way, lots of credibility there I­ believe!
    Lastly, get over 2007! McLaren, the team­ leaders, not the drivers were at fault so stop blaming­ Fernando. Pedro De La Rosa, who is still a McLaren­ employee, was the one who obtain the information and he­ shared it with the areo tech guys at McLaren and­ Fernando. All of the "improvement" came from­ that and both Fernando and Lewis benefited greatly.

    From Daniel S, on Wed 3 Dec 12:22AM

  8. what would be the grounds/criteria to give away the­ constructors crown?

    From jo-anne, on Wed 3 Dec 12:13AM

  9. yup F1 fans are retards.

    everyone hated this engine­ idea but when Alonso talks about it suddenly the engine­ is a fine idea.

    grow up people F1 fans are the most­ whinging people on earth

    From Araw, on Tue 2 Dec 11:54PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    just like to say i was the first to post on this thread­ BUT GOT PULLED.boo hoo.anyway roll on 2010 i now think­ this standard engine thing is a good idea

    From MGA, on Tue 2 Dec 11:33PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    superjohn_rtp,
    please don't ridicule, other­ people's spellings mistakes. We all make them, all­ you'll doing, is indicating to everybody else, you­ are having trouble, deciphering what people are trying­ to say. Does that make them stupid, all yourself

    From paul t, on Tue 2 Dec 11:32PM

  12. I used to like and support Alonso, until he was caught­ cheating and trying to blackmail his team, I was very­ disappointed. And one of the reasons I used to like­ him, is for the very statements he has made above, on­ the one hand, you have this very talented guy, that can­ outdrive, everyone on the track, and make sensible and­ intelligent comments, and on the other, lower his self,­ to Schumacher type cheating. It's a great shame.

    From paul t, on Tue 2 Dec 11:27PM

  13. What's a looser? Is that the opposite of s tighter?­ OH, you mean loser?! We'll see next year.

    From superjohn_rtp, on Tue 2 Dec 11:13PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Good ridance of a sore looser :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Tue 2 Dec 11:04PM
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