But the McLaren driver says he has no plans to retire just yet
Tuesday 26 July 2016 16:34, UK
Fernando Alonso believes it's unlikely that he'll manage a podium finish this season, but insists he has no plans to retire at the end of 2016.
The two-time former world champion has mustered just 24 points in a frustrating year so far at McLaren, and admits a top-three finish is a long way away.
"It's very difficult for us to get a podium this season," Alonso told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
"In normal conditions we still wouldn't deserve a podium. I hope we improve next year but this is F1, anything can happen. We are still waiting for things to happen with this McLaren Honda project but we are on the way up."
Alonso, 34, made his F1 debut in 2001 and has since gone on to claim 32 wins and 97 podiums in 264 races.
He won the title twice with Renault in 2005 and 2006 but has now not won a Grand Prix since Spain in 2013.
But despite the frustrations, the Spaniard insists he has no plans to walk away from the sport.
"My future in F1 will not depend on this car. Even in these last two difficult years I've been enjoying myself a lot," he said.
"If the cars are as fun as they were in the past, I'll have no problem continuing. I'm aware that I'll never be 20-years-old again but I have more experience and more knowledge now."
Don't miss the F1 Report: Hungarian GP review on Sky Sports F1 at 8.30pm on Wednesday as Marc Priestley and Ben Hunt join Natalie Pinkham in the studio to discuss the fallout from the Budapest race.
