Alonso quits F1: What Hamilton, Verstappen and other drivers have said

Fernando Alonso's decision to quit Formula 1 at the end of 2018 came as a shock, although perhaps it wasn't a complete surprise. With McLaren failing to deliver a competitive car to the two-time champion for a fourth season in a row, talk over his future has swirled around the paddock all season. Here, we take a look at what his rivals said about his decision before it was announced this week.

LEWIS HAMILTON
"I would understand [Fernando leaving], for sure. I don't feel the sport's been unfair on Fernando."

CARLOS SAINZ
"He is in a period when he would like to be in a different situation. He wants to fight for podiums and wins. When you've won before, and in his case he has won two world championships and fought for others, if you are not fighting for podiums, races, championships, it is logical that you are not happy."

MAX VERSTAPPEN
"I think that [racing in other categories] mainly happens with drivers who are not winning. At the end of the day being unable to win isn't nice and winning gives you the motivation to keep going. Fernando has not been in the position to win for the last few years, and that probably makes you want to try different things – he went and won Le Mans, which must be an amazing feeling, and good for him."

JENSON BUTTON
"He's clearly still enjoying it, but as a double world champion, finishing ninth and being happy is not really something you want to get used to. I know how frustrated he is, I can hear it on the radio. He's got ambitions to win the Indy 500 and do the 'Triple Crown' and for me, I feel that's a good option for him next year. From a drivers' point of view who's got experience for this, he's got to do something else."