Alonso: Topping midfield means nothing to me

  • Published on 10 Oct 2018 11:47
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso says that finishing in seventh and topping the midfield battle this season would mean absolutely nothing to him. The Spaniard will walk away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018, having spent 17 years in the series.

The double world champion has been without a competitive car for a number of years, last competing for the title in 2012. This year, the best he can hope for is finishing at the front of the midfield pack, seventh place. But that honour is of no worth to the former Renault and Ferrari man.

"It means nothing to finish seventh in the championship,” he said. “There is no point to have any plan for that. My only plan is to finish in the constructors’ championship as high as possible with McLaren.

“We have now a strong position. We have maybe no hope to catch Renault and Haas, but the gap between us and Force India and Sauber is reducing every race because they are very strong now. We will not let them catch us before Abu Dhabi, so that’s my main focus. The driver's championship, really not too interested.”

McLaren's pace has dwindled as the 2018 season has worn on. At the start of the year in Australia, Alonso came home to bag a fifth-place finish. Now however, points are a rarity for the Woking squad as they have scuttled down to be backmarkers.

Alonso says that McLaren's focus on the 2019 car is the cause for the collapse in form: “Feeling-wise, it feels good,” he said when asked about the MCL33. “The car it feels the same as last year. That’s probably the problem.

“The car is the same as last year, and 12 months later, the people make a lot of ground compared to us. I think we constantly see new parts to the midfield guys every weekend, because we see their cars, we see the pictures you guys take of the cars etc. We see always updates to everyone, and from probably Spain, we don’t have any.”

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Alonso do at times remind me of those CEOs of the game industry that refer to their customers as "whales and dolphins" (and other sea creatures) based on their spending habits, and that doesnt care for some money. Its all the money in the world or it might aswell get tossed into the sea.

    • + 0
    • Oct 10 2018 - 16:09
  • Top of the midfield is a good honor for someone trying to build a reputation, or keep their seat in F1. Alonso needs neither, so I get the somewhat arrogant response. What surprises me is how early Mclaren stopped working on the car. Knowing Alonso's luck, Mclaren will probably come back next year with a pretty decent car. That being said, it might workout for a potential comeback in 2020 if McLaren can really get going. I just don't see Sainz becoming the super star Mclaren needs. As for Lando? I've been a strong supporter of his, but the way he has fizzled in GP2 is troubling. Particularly after seeing someone like Vandoorne who was so dominant and yet struggled in F1.

    • + 0
    • Oct 10 2018 - 20:19

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 518
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 147
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar