Fernando Alonso believes he can still compete in Formula 1 for "at least" another two years after joining Aston Martin at the end of the season.
The Spaniard has already had one period away from the sport, but it wasn't long before he was back and showing that he still has the pace to compete. His podium in Qatar last year, three months after his 40th birthday, proved he remains capable of challenging at the front of the grid.
But any future repeats will be while driving a green car, rather than a blue one. He confirmed earlier in the summer that he would be waving goodbye to Alpine this year, suggesting afterwards that he had not been impressed by the Enstone-based outfits hesitance to offer him anything longer than a one-year deal.
So he landed his multi-year contract to replace Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin, and plans on using every second of it. "I hope to be in Formula 1 for at least two or three more years – I think I am still at 100 percent. And then, from there, a challenge that I have never hidden is to try the Dakar Rally again," he told DAZN .
In the same interview, Alonso opened up more on his impending move to Aston Martin and the reasons why he decided it was a better option than renewing with Alpine. "It was because of the desire I saw on the part of Aston Martin to have me," he added, before suggesting he did not feel appreciated at Enstone.
"Perhaps that was missing with Alpine – or the signs of affection that perhaps I did not have here. Alpine had [Oscar] Piastri, the young talent from the academy, and I was also going to a project that seemed more ambitious than Alpine's."
While he may have assumed Piastri would be taking his seat, as did Alpine, that will not be the case. McLaren won their legal battle for the young Australian's signature, and suddenly chief executive Laurent Rossi and team principal Otmar Szafnauer need to recruit someone else.
Daniel Ricciardo, who has been ousted at McLaren by the incoming Piastri, was believed to be a favourite. But Alpine have reportedly opted instead for Pierre Gasly, who is looking for a fresh start after the door to another chance with Red Bull closed.
A deal has reportedly been reached for the Frenchman to leave AlphaTauri, to be replaced by IndyCar star Colton Herta. But it will only go through if the FIA agrees to give special dispensation for the American to race in F1 without the required number of points for a superlicence.
