Coulthard: Alonso 'may have to accept that his F1 career is over'

Hosting the AlphaTauri AT01 launch in Salzburg on Friday, David Coulthard spoke to the media and confessed that he can't see a way back into Formula One for Fernando Alonso, suggesting that 'everyone has their moment and maybe it has come for him.'

Fernando Alonso has made no secret of his desire to return to Formula One in 2021, believing that the regulation changes will give him a fighting chance of landing a competitive ride.

However, Honda have ruled against allowing Alonso to compete in the Indianapolis 500 under their power, which rules out a Red Bull or AlphaTauri drive in F1 and Coulthard questioned whether any team was in need of his services.

“I know he wants to come back, but I don’t think he has a choice,” Coulthard told AS.com. “I don’t think Mercedes needs him or wants him. I don’t think Ferrari needs him or wants him. I don’t think Red Bull needs him or wants him. Where’s he going to go? Back to McLaren?”

Since leaving his drive at McLaren at the end of 2018, Alonso has raced successfully in the World Endurance Championship and more recently took part in the Dakar Rally.

Despite being a two time Formula One champion, becoming the driver to break the dominance of Michael Schumacher by taking the 2005 and 2006 titles, Coulthard says that Alonso may have to accept that his F1 career is over.

“For me, Alonso is one of the most talented drivers ever in Formula 1, really talented like Hamilton, Schumacher or Senna," added Coulthard. "Everything he’s driven has been in a hurry. But everyone has their moment and maybe it has come for him."

Alonso is currently searching for a drive in the Indy500, with teams racing under Chevrolet power being the only options open to him.

Related

F1 Legends

Alonso hints at F1 retirement date after historic contract

• April 18, 2024 20:57

F1 News & Gossip

Alonso takes CHEEKY dig at Hamilton after signing F1 contract

• April 16, 2024 18:57