Alonso describes Formula 1 career as a "tick in the box"

As Fernando Alonso prepares to close the curtains on his 17-year Formula 1 career, the Spaniard describes his time as "a tick in the box". The McLaren driver has just one race left before going on to achieve different things in his racing career.

The two-time world champion will enter his 312th Grand Prix, the second most of all time. He's just 11 races behind record-holder Rubens Barrichello. Alonso explains to ESPN why he's left the sport as he plans on doing many more things in the motorsport world.

"I have won more races than what I dreamed of when I came here, and this part of my career is done - it was a success. I have ticked the box. I need to go for another tick and find another box to fill. That's the only reason," Alonso said.

“If I had only done five or six seasons in F1 and I still had a lot of energy, I would stay despite the results — better or worse — but after 17 years and after achieving everything here, I think it’s the right moment."

Talking about the right moment, hopefully, Alonso gets a decent run in Abu Dhabi and is given the send-off he deserves. Perhaps now the championship is sealed, Mercedes should offer up a seat for Alonso and put Lewis Hamilton back in the McLaren for a race!

Alonso once again opened the door to a future Formula 1 return. But he explained with the rule changes, and his age, it'll be hard to rejoin.

"By 2021 it will be a bit too late, I do not know for sure, because it is difficult to know how you will feel in two weeks, let alone two years from now," Alonso added.

“To have the energy to start over again and dedicate yourself completely to something when you’re 39 or 40… it’s going to be more difficult than now, it’s not something I am planning.”