F1 director wants Alonso to stay

Formula One director of motorsport Ross Brawn wants Fernando Alonso to stay in the sport rather than pursuing his 'triple crown' full-time as he is desperate for F1 to keep 'charismatic' characters such as the Spaniard, who has not won the world championship for over a decade.

In recent season, due to not being competitive in F1 with McLaren, Alonso has ventured into other motorsport disciplines for success, and it has come via a victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours race last month.

He has now won two-thirds of the motorsport triple crown which includes Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the Indianpolis 500.

With McLaren continuing to struggle in 2018, there is speculation that Alonso could jump ship to another sport, but Brawn hopes he will stay.

"Who knows, maybe he really is looking for fulfilment outside of Formula 1," said Brawn.

"But I really hope that’s not the case. He is still immensely quick and Formula 1 needs drivers with his undoubted charisma and talent."

"While everyone in Formula 1 is tackling the challenge of the sport’s first ever triple-header with determination and dedication, for [Alonso] the period has been even more intense,

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"In Canada, Fernando crossed the finish line of his 300th Grand Prix entry before going on to win the Le Mans 24 Hours the following weekend with Toyota, on his debut in this event.

Brawn went on to praise Alonso's performance in the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, as he still managed to finish eighth in the points positions despite starting from the pit lane.

"The race in Austria marked Fernando’s fourth consecutive weekend on track but there was no sign of weariness. [He] was as keen as ever to fight to the very last lap. In short, in Austria, Alonso once again drove a majestic race."

"Fernando had to start from the pit lane due to a modification made under parc fermé," the F1 director continued.

"But the two-time champion did not lose heart and managed to take an uncompetitive car all the way to eighth place."