Fernando Alonso has ruled out ever becoming a 'pay-driver' in Formula One. The Spaniard, a two-time world champion and now entering his third consecutive season with Ferrari, is believed to be the sport's current highest earner.
But recent economic conditions have seen retainers become lower throughout the grid, while seasoned drivers like Rubens Barrichello, Jarno Trulli and Adrian Sutil have been left without seats as 'pay-drivers' gain the upper hand.
Alonso, however, vows to never become one. "My family and I made many sacrifices for me to race, from the age of three," he is quoted by El Periodico newspaper.
"When I started, I knew that either I won or I went back to school. I will never be a paying driver. If I had to pay to race, I wouldn't race - it's unthinkable," he said.
As for his and Ferrari's prospects for 2012, the 30-year-old answered: "I know that some people are saying we start with a disadvantage compared to Red Bull, McLaren or Mercedes, but we will only really see in Melbourne."
Alonso rules out becoming F1 pay driver
- Published on 29 Feb 2012 13:08
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- By: Danny Sosef
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Driver profile
- Team Aston Martin
- Points 631
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 204
- Country ES
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (45)
- Place of b. Oviedo, ES
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 188,111 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name Ferrari
- Base Maranello, Italy
- Kimi Räikkönen 1
- Michael Schumacher 1
- Michael Schumacher 1
- Felipe Massa 2
- Fernando Alonso 3
- Felipe Massa 3
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Felipe Massa 4
- Kimi Räikkönen 4
- Sebastian Vettel 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Felipe Massa 5
- Michael Schumacher 5
- Michael Schumacher 5
- Felipe Massa 6
- Felipe Massa 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 6
- Felipe Massa 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Felipe Massa 7
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 14
- Charles Leclerc 16
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 511,483 comments on Ferrari
- 284 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Ferrari
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