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Alonso: Return to F1 is not the plan despite Mclaren test

Alonso: Return to F1 is not the plan despite Mclaren test

29-03-2019 16:23
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Matt Gretton

Editor-in-Chief

Fernando Alonso insists a full-time Formula 1 return is not in the pipeline despite his Pirelli tyre test for McLaren this weekend in Bahrain.

It will be Alonso's first experience inside a Formula 1 car since his retirement in Abu Dhabi last November. Since then, the Spaniard has competed in the WEC, and on Wednesday he tested a Dakar Rally car.

Speaking to the media in Bahrain, Alonso claims he is not missing the sport because of his very active schedule over the last six months.

“Honestly I’m not missing too much at the moment because I’ve been very busy. Maybe if I’d been relaxing at home it would be different, but I’ve been testing different things, so not much time to miss anything," Alonso said.

“But it was this opportunity with the Pirelli test, we have a second car. We talked with the team in winter testing as well if there was any point or any benefit to the team if I was testing the car at one point in the season. And the team decided this was the best moment, not taking time to the race drivers to develop the car.”

Since his retirement announcement during the summer, the two-time world champion has always left the door slightly open regarding a comeback. But today, Alonso insists there is no return planned and his mind is fully focused on other ventures.

“As I said last year my idea is not to come back. I said last year bye-bye it was because I felt this chapter was already complete and I achieved in Formula 1 a lot more than what I dreamed of," he added.

“I had great opportunities outside Formula 1 to do something unprecedented so that’s why I took the decision. Coming back is not in the plan. But if something happens and a great opportunity arrives I probably will consider. I don’t close doors one hundred per cent to anything in the future.”