'Alonso will come back to F1 within a year'

Formula 1 and McLaren legend Emerson Fittipaldi is expecting fellow double world champion Fernando Alonso to return to the grid next year. Alonso quit F1 at the end of last year, having grown impatient in his wait for McLaren to return to former glories.

Alonso was not present in Melbourne last weekend as the 2019 F1 season got under way, as he was Florida, winning the 1000 Miles of Sebring for Toyota in his World Endurance Championship campaign.

The Spaniard's main target for 2019 is to complete the 'Triple Crown' by adding the Indianapolis 500 to previous victories at the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 Hours.

Next month, Alonso will test his Indy 500 chassis in Texas, but he has not ruled out a return to F1 in 2020 if he achieves his goals this year and a competitive drive is on offer.

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"We all thought it was the Honda engine [in 2015-2017] but it was the same with the Renault [last year]. In any case, I think he will be back to F1 within a year.

"I see him physically very well and mentally very motivated to win, so why not come back? If he has a car and a good team to win, he will surely come back."

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