Alonso issues quit threat

Renault driver upset at proposed changes

Last updated: 3rd December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Alonso issues quit threat

Alonso: Strong views

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

Fernando Alonso
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Fernando Alonso will consider quitting Formula One if the sport follows through with plans for a standard engine.

Formula One's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), said in October that it intends to introduce a uniform engine for all teams from 2010 in an effort to cut costs.

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

"If they approved that, it would be the last straw," said Alonso.

"It would be time to think about retirement."

Retrograde step

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

"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."

Title challenge

The Spaniard, however, believes he is well placed to regain the world title with Renault in 2009.

"I cannot allow myself to start the championship without thinking I am going to win," he added.

"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."

Meanwhile, Alonso's car for 2009 will be revealed by Renault on January 20, although he admits changes happen so fast these days that the car will be very different by the time the first grand prix comes around in April.

"This time the championship starts later than ever and the later you get the car ready the better," he said.

"There will be cars that will be good in February, and by April everyone else will have copied them. So the later the car arrives, the better."

Comments (15)

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Phil Greatbatch says...

Why not introduce a points system similar to the one the Americans use, points for pole, points for leading the most laps and maybe points for the fastest lap. I do like the idea of reversing the finishing positions for the following race.

Posted 13:37 7th December 2008

Paul Whitham says...

kit patel has got it spot on. Take the finishing order of the last race and reverseit, that then becomes the starting order,of the next race, no qualifying, only practice think how much money that would save, that would put overtaking in the spotlight. As for everyone having the same engine - total lunacy are they going to scrap the constructers' championship?

Posted 17:43 6th December 2008

Ken Staveley says...

Good on yer Fernando, I can't say that you are my favourite driver but I admire the way you say what you want. I totally agree with him, the powers that be are only interested in seeing there names in print, and not interested in what the driver's and spectator's love and want. F1 is the pinnacle of motor sport where we want to see and hear all the different makes of cars and engines, not a bunch of clones going around. If the lesser teams can't afford it why are they still in the sport ?

Posted 14:50 4th December 2008

Nick Lees says...

Whats next oval circuits so F1 can turn into indycar!!!

Posted 13:34 4th December 2008

Kit Patel says...

It is a sorry state of affairs if F1 is forced down this route. Whilst some of the recent changes are for the benefit for the drivers and spectators alike, or at least that is the sell, we have to keep in mind that F1 has been for many a year effectively an R&D programme for the road going cars we drive everyday. Lets not forget, turbo chargers, super chargers, traction control, ABS, uprated suspensions are all things proved on the F1 track we take for granted today. F1 needs to reduce cost, but R&D is always expensive in any form. The end result is that the spectators will suffer from these changes. If I want to watch the same engined cars race, I'll watch a different category or A1. F1 still pulls the greatest numbers of spectators compared to these categories, so don't shoot itself in the foot! Bernie and the FIA are over paid socialites who need to justify their existence. Lets not forget they introduced a new points scoring system to reward consistency, without foresight of what it would produce and to stop the season effectively finishing early. Now they want to back track on that and reward maximum victories with a ridiculous (un-required) overhaul of the points system. If you want to reduce the cost in F1, stop making changes every 10 months for the manufacturers to have to adopt and invest in! You don't see athletics telling their athletes that they have to wear the same clothes / equipment and train the same to make it more competitive.... If you want to introduce overtaking, then why not think outside the box, ask drivers who finish first in the race to start at the back of the grid in the next one? I would love to see the McLaren / Ferrari boys start at the back and prove they really are that good!

Posted 09:38 4th December 2008

Adam Smith says...

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Alonso. If they introduced standard engines, it would reduce the competitive spirit of the teams and also turn F1 into Formula Ford. F1 is prestigious because of the glitz, the glamour, the cars and the amount of money spent on all of it. F1 is the pinnacle of car racing on the planet for this very reason. The FIA (although well intentioned) are going to destroy everything that F1 has been built on. A note on what Neville Riley said: I completely disagree with your statement "it is boring enough...". You may like your bike racing a little too much to be able to comment on this. I watch both Moto GP and F1 knowing exactly what both offer. F1 was absolutely sensational in 2008 and pretty good in 2007. There has been so much action this season based on the FIA removing traction control - which I think is a good thing and shows the drivers skills a bit more. The problem here is that the rich team owners are complaining about costs. Personally, I think they should take a step back and ask whether they want to be a part of F1 instead of trying to change it for their own benefit. By the time they reduce the costs, some teams, drivers, fans will leave and winning won't be worth what it was in the first place.

Posted 13:16 3rd December 2008

Steven Anderson says...

F1's only restriction should be the LxWxH of the car. Anything else should be left to the imagination limits of the designer & engineer brain............imagine what we would be watching then. At the moment X Factor is less predictable..

Posted 12:38 3rd December 2008

Mark H says...

I must say, I never ever really likes Alonso at all. But you have to have to admire and respect this man on his views and morals concerning the sport. He's a credit to the sport and I for one would miss him dearly if he pulled out due to the power mad men at the top. Yes they are keeping the sport going on a nice even track but they're getting WAY too far ahead of themselves this time.

Posted 12:34 3rd December 2008

Steve Whitworth says...

Could you imagine a mercedes engine in a ferrari, or a ferrari engine in a maclaren.......i dont think so. It would kill the sport.

Posted 11:15 3rd December 2008

Nick Berry says...

Rediculous yet again, FIA, Max Moseley and Bernie Ecclestone. They should leave the sport now!!. if the teams want to spend, let them spend. F1 is glamorous and cutting edge as far as technology is concerned. It has become a precesion since the refueling rule came in. I think the teams should break away and form their own association. A small comparison is darts. Look what happened when darts split from the BDO to the PDC. Who now really cares about the BDO. No one. Same would happen to F1. The FIA would collapse, Moseley and Ecclestone would go and that would be good for the sport and fans.

Posted 10:17 3rd December 2008

Andrew Mutton says...

It really is about time the FIA took notice of the teams and particularly the front running drivers. Like him or loathe him you cannot deny Alonso is one of if not the best driver on the grid. He along with many others presumably wants to see more "entertainment" from the sport. Yet it seems in order to regain overtaking we have to revert to running Formula Fords. Now im not critisising FF's but they are a million miles away from an F1 car, however with each passing season its not difficult to see how much "easier" the step from lower series into F1 will become. Finally, should all the "Manufacturer" teams pull out such as Honda, Ferrari, Toyota, McLaren Mercedes, Renault there will only be about 3/4 teams left. Who is going to watch two hours of racing between 8 cars? Not me. Shooting yourselves in the foot....The FIA are rapidly becoming experts.

Posted 09:04 3rd December 2008

Andrew Watson says...

Whats the concern to him, if all the cars are the same as per the A1 gp cars then it will be down to driver talent, surely as a two time world champion that would please him?

Posted 09:00 3rd December 2008

Alan t.p. Bear says...

If Alonso & Ferrari quit F1 so will I. The main reason I watch is to see them get beaten. This proposed move is a major step backwards, and will alienate true supporters. I'll be switching to MotoGP.

Posted 08:09 3rd December 2008

Neville Riley says...

I agree with Alonso,it is boring enough as it is,you should watch motorbikes they are far more exciting,you have three to watch,motogp,wsb and bsb ,give it a try you will not be dissapointed.

Posted 23:16 2nd December 2008

Erik Brandberg says...

Would be awesome to see all drivers and teams threaten to retire for the same reason!

Posted 23:08 2nd December 2008
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