F1 News

Fernando Alonso would only return to F1 at “Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull”

17 October 2019 at 17:41
  • Bevan Youl

2005 and 2006 Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso would only make a return to the sport in “a seat at Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull” according to former manager Flavio Briatore.

Alonso left F1 at the end of 2018, parting from McLaren after four years at the team having been at Ferrari before.
 
But he did not rule out a return to the sport in the future despite competing and winning the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
 
Briatore says a return would not happen though unless it were back to a team at the front of the grid.

“Alonso back in F1? I talked to him about it,” the Italian told Rai Gr Parlamento.

“But he will only do it if he has a seat at Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull.

“If not, it doesn’t make sense. He wants to fight for the title.

“For his part, Alonso has never closed the door to return to F1 although he insists that the series remains the same as when he left, with too much dominance from Mercedes and little equality.

“He hopes that the situation will change by 2021.”

Briatore does believe that he would benefit Ferrari if he made a return but that with Charles Leclerc they can win the World title in the future.

“If Fernando Alonso can return to Ferrari? If they want to win, yes but I believe Leclerc can win with Ferrari,” he added.