Fernando Alonso insists he would still view his Formula 1 career as “perfect” if he were to retire without having secured that elusive third world championship.
Alonso, widely-regarded as one of the most talented drivers in the sport’s history, has failed to add to the two titles he claimed at Renault in 2005 and 2006 but has come agonisingly close, most notably in 2010 and 2012.
With his current team McLaren languishing in the midfield, the 35-year old may well miss out on the coveted hat-trick he has so long pursued.
The Spaniard, though, was keen to stress that he has been fortunate to spend much of his career at the sharp end of the grid, and says the sport has given him a great deal of joy over his fifteen years behind the wheel.
“I have been so lucky in my entire career to fight for championships,” Alonso told the official F1 website. “Yes, there have been more good opportunities for me, but for one reason or another it did not happen.
“Probably success is the most important thing of the enjoyment of being here – you are here to compete. Being on the podium, winning a race or even a championship: these are the moments of ultimate enjoyment.
“But then there is also the joy about other things that surround F1! The travelling that gave me the opportunity to visit countries I probably would have never seen in another life…I am happy with all the fantastic side effects the sport has given me!”
Alonso also expressed his optimism surrounding the shake-up of the regulations for the 2017 season, believing they could return the ‘wow’ factor to the top echelon of Motorsport.
“With the new regulations in place next year we will probably get the excitement back as the cars will be much more attractive – and much faster,” he enthused.
“I expect the feeling of ‘wow’ again – as when I started in F1!”
Whilst Alonso has repeatedly reiterated his belief in McLaren’s title-winning credentials, he has been linked with a move to Mercedes in 2018 or even a sensational return to Renault in one final bid for a third title.
