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After Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso bid farewell to Formula 1, while his fellow drivers and team officials showed their admiration and gratitude throughout the weekend.
The curtain fell on Fernando Alonso's 18-year Formula 1 career at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the Spanish legend leaves with a record that few can match: two drivers' world championship titles, 32 wins, 22 pole positions, 23 fastest laps, 97 podium finishes, and 1,899 points. The respect he inspires was palpable when Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, who between them hold nine titles, led a lap of honor for his McLaren, then joined him for a celebratory donut at the finish line—an image that will remain etched in the memories of the season.
Hamilton, who once shared a garage with the young Spaniard at McLaren, paid him a heartfelt tribute: “Fernando is a true legend, it was a privilege to race against him. Before I started in Formula 1, I used to watch him on TV at home and see what he was doing. He will be missed in Formula 1, and by me too.” ” Vettel's teammate at Ferrari echoed this sentiment, escorting Alonso's car around the circuit before the three drivers waved goodbye together for the last time. Alonso, looking back on his career from his debut at Minardi to the difficulties he encountered in recent seasons at McLaren, summed up his feelings: “It will be a good memory, a fantastic adventure since I was very young. I have always fought hard, in all circumstances, in all cars. I come from a country that has no tradition in motorsport, my father was not a driver, everyone was surprised. I am happy, happy with this last weekend full of emotions, with what Formula 1 and my team have prepared for me.” As for the future, the former champion says he wants to focus on the triple crown, which is difficult to achieve in this sport: winning at Monaco, Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. “I don't think I'll be coming back for now, that's for sure. We'll see how things go next year. I need a break, new challenges, I want to win the triple crown. Maybe in 2020 I'll feel the need to compete in a full season in IndyCar or Formula 1, or maybe I'll have so much fun next year that I won't come back,” he told the media.
His departure has been widely commented on social media, with the official Formula 1 account paying tribute to him and fans flooding the platform with #GraciasFernando, while McLaren's account described the Spaniard as a “fearless and inimitable driver” and thanked him for the memories he had left them.
