F1: Fernando Alonso to make ‘important decision’ on his future

McLaren ace Fernando Alonso has revealed to Sky Sports that he will make a decision on his Formula 1 future this summer.

The Spaniard, a two-time F1 world champion, raced in his 300th career Grand Prix in Canada last weekend but his McLaren team had a poor weekend in Montreal. After starting 14th on the grid Alonso failed to finish in Canada. 

Alonso has been linked with a move to IndyCar and will also make his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race this weekend.

When asked about his plans for 2019 he told Sky Sports: “I don’t know, 2019 is still a long way ahead. Normally, I try to take my decisions after the summer break and this year is no different. An important decision is coming for sure.”

After seven races this season Alonso is seventh in the F1 drivers’ standings with 32 points while McLaren are fifth in the team standings with 40 points. Alonso admits it is tough competing against Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, but is optimistic for McLaren’s future.

“It is definitely challenging,” Alonso added. “The gap to the front guys is quite significant. But McLaren and Renault are here to win and have won many things in the past.

“I see a great future a bright future for this combination. I don’t know if the win will happen this year, next year or in five years. Definitely, this combination will bring nice results.”

IndyCar next for Alonso?

The Guardian adds that after McLaren’s Canada “failure”, Alonso might “call time on F1”. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has hinted that Alonso could become part of a reported McLaren IndyCar project.

Brown told Reuters that McLaren is “seriously considering IndyCar”. He said: “We have been doing due diligence for quite some time. As stated before if we are going to get into other forms of motorsport we need to do it in a way that doesn’t compromise our Formula 1 activities or we won’t consider it.”