F1 News

Coulthard on Alonso: Neither Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull “needs or wants him”

Coulthard on Alonso: Neither Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull “needs or wants him”

15-02-2020 14:41
1

Bevan Youl

David Coulthard has said that a return to Formula 1 for Fernando Alonso would be unlikely as neither Mercedes, Ferrari or Aston Martin Red Bull Racing “needs him or wants him”.

Alonso departed from F1 at the end of the 2018 season from McLaren, where he had endured a tough period with the Woking based team.
 
The Spaniard moved to them from Ferrari in 2015 but encountered various reliability and performance issues with Honda engines before they switched to Renault power.
 
It got a bit better from then, but Alonso turned his attention to other motorsport series for 2019, such as the WEC Championship and a failed Indy500 attempt.
 
However he has made it publicly aware that he desires a return to the F1 grid for 2021, something Coulthard doesn’t think will happen.
 
“I know he wants to come back, but I don’t think he has a choice,” Coulthard told AS.com.
 
“I don’t think Mercedes needs him or wants him. I don’t think Ferrari needs him or wants him. I don’t think Red Bull needs him or wants him.
 
“Where’s he going to go? Back to McLaren?”
 
Coulthard praised Alonso who won the 2005 and 2006 F1 World Championships, breaking to dominance of Michael Schumacher, but feels he needs to accept his time might be up.
 
“For me, Alonso is one of the most talented drivers ever in Formula 1, really talented like Hamilton, Schumacher or Senna," he added.

"Everything he’s driven has been in a hurry. But everyone has their moment and maybe it has come for him."