Fernando Alonso admitted his head is looking to next season with the F1 icon soon to leave Alpine to join Aston Martin.
The two-time world champion revealed in August that he would be making the switch to replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel, sparking off a dramatic chain of events at Otmar Szafnauer's team. And he seemed set for a sour exit after he and teammate Esteban Ocon crashed into each other in Saturday's Sprint Race at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The incident infuriated Szafnauer, who accused the pair of letting his team down. And speaking to reporters afterwards, Alonso himself appeared to revel in the fact he would soon be leaving.
However, despite starting Sunday's Grand Prix 18th on the grid, Alonso enjoyed a stellar race, crossing the line in fifth. It equalled his best result of the season, having finished in the same position in Silverstone and Spa.
Over team radio, he didn't conceal his delight: "Whoa, yes! Congrats guys, a very good result. A very nice race, good strategy, a good comeback," he yelled. "Thank you mate, perfect execution on your side," came the reply.
But the 41-year-old later conceded that while he remains focussed on the here and now, it had been difficult not to look ahead to next season. "I always have fun," he told F1 TV.
"The head can be [looking] to next year, but the heart is always with the car. When the lights go out, you're fighting with the car and enjoying racing."
Alonso has now hit 81 points as he lies 9th in the drivers' standings. And a top-10 finish in the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next Sunday will see him better his haul of last year.
Compatriot Ocon meanwhile, is eighth in the Championship on 86 points. He too fought back in Brazil to finish three places behind Alonso, with the race won by Mercedes man George Russell.
