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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6 - Mar 8
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13 - Mar 15
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Driver profile
- Team Aston Martin
- Points 628
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 195
- Country ES
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
- Place of b. Oviedo, ES
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 187,398 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 633,264 comments on Mercedes
- 59 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Mercedes
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