Fernando Alonso has blasted the state of Formula One in its current form, claiming the direction of the sport is “unclear” leading to doubts over his own future.
The double world champion is unhappy with several aspects of modern day Formula One, particularly the introduction of V6 turbo hybrid engines in 2014 and the high degradation Pirelli tyres.
Discussing his thoughts with Autosport, the Spaniard made it clear that the current state of Formula One is making him seriously consider his own future within the sport – and if things don’t change next season he sees his future elsewhere.
“Many things will change next year, let’s hope the joy of driving will return to be a major factor,” added Alonso.
“If I see F1 carries on going in a different direction compared to what I knew and loved in the recent past, at that point I could consider other alternatives and leave F1.”
Expanding on what he sees as the issues within Formula One Alonso suggested the modern cars are much easier and less fun to drive than they were when he began his Formula One career.
“These days F1 is in a time of highs and lows, for several things the series’ direction isn’t clear,” claimed Alonso.
“I’m not at all happy for some things that are happening: we can never drive the cars to their real limit; we can never attack as much as we would like because the tyres don’t allow you to.
“If you push too hard they overheat, and lose grip immediately. If you use the engine too much, you step over consumption parameters.
“To be quick in today’s F1, you must not attack too much, that’s the secret, but that’s something against a driver’s instincts.
“This is why current cars aren’t as pleasing to drive compared to other periods, when the technical rule book was different. This situation doesn’t make me too happy.
“I am not saying current cars are easier to drive, but they certainly are from a physical point of view or in finding the car’s true limit.
“That’s because before, when you were attacking a turn, the speed mid-turn was so high that you really had to trust your car, trust that it would handle it. With less grip, it’s easier to find the grip’s limit.
“Before, after 10 laps you had to have a two-hour massage, while now you can drive 150 laps and barely sweat by the end.”
With the suggestion from Alonso he could leave the sport at the end of next season, he was asked where he would turn to after Formula One.
“Le Mans would be the option closest to my driving style, and to what I’ve always done.
“The Indy 500 is a fascinating, radical change because you must learn a completely different driving style and way of thinking.
“Nevertheless, I’d be open and ready to learn it because when you have been F1 world champion there are only two other races that are equivalent prestige-wise: the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500.
“But in any case, it would be an idea, a plan that would be really long term in order to be turned into reality.”
