'F1 without Alonso is like Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo'
'F1 without Alonso is like Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo'
Flavio Briatore says Formula 1 in 2019 without Fernando Alonso will be comparable to Real Madrid in the Spanish football giants' post-Cristiano Ronaldo era – perhaps offering the king of motorsports a chilling warning of what lies in store, with Madrid in the midst of a miserable campaign without the superstar striker.
Alonso will embark on a first year without involvement in Formula 1 for the better part of two decades in 2019, with the Indianapolis 500 and 'Triple Crown' instead dominating his thoughts.
Two-time world champion Alonso has not won a grand prix since 2013, having seen a return to McLaren in 2015 backfire badly – the Spaniard did not secure a solitary podium in the past four seasons.
But Briatore says it is F1 that will be left counting the cost of Alonso's retirement, rather than the other way around.
He told Motorlat: "F1 without Alonso is like Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He is one of the few recognisable stars. If you see these guys from here and take off their overalls, I only recognize Lewis, Vettel, Raikkonen and that's it.
"Alonso needs a period of relaxation. He had three very frustrating years in which he behaved impeccably, the performance of the McLaren was ridiculous and he still fought for positions that did not correspond."
Speaking at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, Alonso left the door open for a return to F1, but Briatore doubts his close friend will make a comeback unless the right team make him an offer.
"There are only two teams: Mercedes or Ferrari, there are no other choices. The other choice is to finish fourth, fifth or sixth," he said.
"I think with the talent he has, you put him in the right car and he could still be the strongest driver along with Hamilton.
"Some day the teams will realise that to win the constructors' championship you need two strong drivers in the team. We will see what happens in a few months or a year."
MORE: Alonso says sound is F1's biggest problem
MORE: Verstappen: Leclerc and I are F1's new Hamilton and Vettel
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton dealt China blow after major FIA decision as Ricciardo given huge Horner warning - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 team unveil star-studded lineup in China
- Yesterday 23:12
F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
- Yesterday 21:57
F1 Sprint Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 21:27
Wolff left FUMING with Mercedes despite amazing Hamilton lap
- Yesterday 20:57
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860