Alonso gives 200 per cent for Aston Martin: 'Don't do it for fun'

Fernando Alonso starts his 21st season in Formula 1 in Bahrain, in which he will, if nothing goes wrong, drive his 400th race. After the car presentation, the Spaniard said he feels very good ahead of the season.

To the press, including GPBlog, Alonso said he is fit for the upcoming season: "I feel good, fitter than ever. The numbers that we achieve in all the physical tests that we do every season, they were the best ever this year." The Spaniard has also adjusted his life to the full F1 schedule: "Everything that I do in life and everything that I did in the last few months were just to prepare myself better than ever for a very long season."

The two-time world champion is also preparing for a possible longer racing career: "I will not drive, you know, a few more years in Formula One just to drive and to have fun. You know, I'm not that kind of driver. I'm not that kind of person. If I want to keep driving, it's because I know, starting from myself, that I can give 200 percent to the team, on and off track, simulator work, marketing work, delivering the results on track."

If Alonso does continue driving, he also needs to think about the 'where', as his contract runs out at the end of the season. "My first priority will be always to sit down and discuss with Aston Martin. They gave me the opportunity last year to join this organisation, which I'm very proud to be part of," said the Spaniard.

He continued: "With the new factory, with everything that is going on. There is a great future. I want to explore every possibility to race for many years here."