Photo: Race Pictures

Alonso urged to hang up racing boots and pick up the diaper bag instead

20:32, 15 Dec

byNorberto Mujica

At 44 Fernando Alonso is the most senior driver on the F1 grid and former F1 champion and McLaren teammate Jenson Button thinks it's time for the Spanish driver to pull the plug on his racing career.

“I’d like to see him with a bunch of little Fernandos running around and then maybe they want to go karting and then he can continue the journey."

- Jenson Button.

Jenson Button was teammates with Fernando Alonso at McLaren during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Photo: RacePictures

It's nothing to do with perofrmance worries, since Alonso driving the AMR25 and despite the reliability issues and poor luck was able to finish P10 in the Drivers' standings.

When asked if Alonso's ability to perform makes him wonder about what would be possible if he'd stuck it out in the sport a while longer, Button admitted to Sky Sports F1. “It does," he said. “But I also think: ‘Fernando! Come on, mate.’

“I’d like to see him with a bunch of little Fernandos running around and then maybe they want to go karting and then he can continue the journey.

"It’s great that he’s still competing and he’s still so competitive."

Passing on the staff, emotionally richer than F1 titles

Button, himself a father of two then revealed an aspect which could beat a title on an emotional and more intimate level. “But for me, if my son or daughter jumped into a go-kart, that emotion would be probably more than winning a world championship, seeing them want to drive a car.

“Whether they do or not, I don’t really know. But that would be pretty cool.”

Alonso will turn 45 come 29 July 2026, exceeding by far the longevity expectations for a driver's ability to perform at the highest level of motor racing.

Alonso gurantees Aston Martin will win titles

Alonso claims Aston Martin will inevitably break through and win championships, stressing the question is when, not if. Read his full statements here.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.