Alonso: F1 return possible... if I wanted to

Fernando Alonso is confident that he would be welcomed back into Formula 1 if he wanted to make a comeback to the grid, but insists he is not missing the sport.

Alonso secured the second leg of the 'Triple Crown' at last year's Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota Gazoo Racing, and he will remain part of the Japanese marque's programme, amid reports of a future crack at the Dakar Rally, a competition he name-dropped yet again while discussing his future.

The Spaniard failed to match Graham Hill's unique feat at the Indianapolis 500 two months ago, and subsequently cut his partnership with McLaren both in F1 and for the next Indy 500.

Since his departure from F1, speculation has increased as to when and if he does decide to return - something he says is possible if the desire is there.

"I would return if I wanted to," he told Spanish media.

"Everyone said last year that I would not leave if I had a competitive car, but now I'm leaving a competitive car that is first and second in each race.

"Unlike the Dakar or another category, I have nothing to prove in F1. I retired with 21-0 [qualifying record] over a teammate, which has never happened before.

"I didn't leave for competitiveness, but for the things I like to do or to take impossible challenges that I try to make possible."

Asked if he missed F1, Alonso replied: "Not really. Of course I watch all the races and it's more of the same.

"Some teams like Haas or Renault are a little worse than last year, and some like McLaren a little better.

"But Mercedes are first, Ferrari second and Red Bull third, which we have seen for many, many years. Formula 1 is a championship that is about the performance of the car."

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