Fernando Alonso disclosed that his love for the world of motorsport prevented him from retiring in 2018.
Alonso recently discussed his plans to retire, but he has not yet set a date for his departure. The Spanish driver remembers the time in 2018 when he decided to leave Formula One, but ultimately changed his mind.
He explained that he reconsidered his retirement decision and realized it was not the right choice for him, so he continued racing. During this period, the two-time world champion competed at an undisclosed location. Alonso acknowledged how Formula 1 has evolved over the past 20 years since he first started. However, when he joined the sport, engineers were not able to provide detailed explanations about the cars, whereas now there have been significant advancements.
Alonso mentioned that there were no simulators available at that time, so he had to walk around the circuit the day before each race in order to familiarize himself with all the turns and corners. Nowadays, drivers are much more prepared and spend a significant amount of time practicing on simulators, completing around 200 to 300 laps on the virtual track. This allows them to become well-acquainted with every detail, including the bumps, turns, and even curbs, before they hit the real track.
Fernando Alonso believes that driving F1 cars is much easier now compared to when he first entered the sport. He expressed his admiration for the current generation of drivers, highlighting the positive aspects of their experience. Alonso acknowledged that in the past, F1 driving required greater physical and mental effort, making it more heroic. However, with advancements like simulators, the overall experience has become more understandable and accessible.
The 42-year-old driver explained how unique it felt when he initially started and attended events, as he received respect from everyone. Alonso was seen as one of the heroes who piloted these incredibly fast cars, which elevated his status as a prominent figure in the eyes of others.
Alonso certainly believes that F1 has become much easier now, in a positive way, compared to 20 years ago. He is pleased that new drivers have a clear vision of the track before the race, thanks to advancements that were not available during his early years.