Fernando Alonso repeated in Madrid that his retirement from Formula 1 is much more likely than it seems. The Asturian driver remains upset with the current regulations and with a car that does not allow him to compete. But he has an unexpected ally: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, is willing to do anything to keep Alonso in F1.
Ben Sulayem already said that he would hold talks with Alonso to do whatever is necessary so that he does not retire. It wasn’t a shot in the dark. According to ‘The Race’, the FIA has launched a plan for Honda to have special concessions with the aim of enabling them to develop their engine as soon as possible and for Alonso to stay.
Special Homologations, More Budget, and Changes to the Regulations
Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Fernando Alonso have shown good rapport on several occasions since the Emirati took the FIA’s top post. Therefore now Ben Sulayem confesses that it pains him to “see Alonso very sad”, and he wants to avoid retirement at all costs. So much so that he is even willing to change the rules to help Honda.
According to The Race, Ben Sulayem has already held highly advanced talks with Alonso and with Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin. But also with Honda, to understand what they need to improve. The FIA would be willing to approve special concessions that would allow Honda to rapidly improve their engine.
Specifically, we would be talking about three areas: special homologations, a higher budget cap, and even concrete changes to the regulations. And remember that, at least publicly, what Alonso complains about is not his car specifically, but the lack of excitement in this new era of Formula 1. And he reiterated it in Madrid.
Although avoiding Alonso’s retirement is the official excuse, there is much more upheaval behind it. Aston Martin is the only team using Honda engines, and in recent weeks there have already been rumors that Lawrence Stroll is considering breaking his contract with Honda and looking for another competitive engine supplier, which would mean losing Honda from Formula 1.
In fact, it seems that the rest of the engine manufacturers agree on giving Honda extra help, since no one wants to lose such an important player in Formula 1. The initial conversations must have gone well, because in his latest public statement Ben Sulayem has already dared to confirm that “Alonso told me that he is not retiring. He will stay”.
Alonso’s push against a possible departure from Formula 1 could end up bearing fruit for both Honda and Aston Martin.
Images | Honda, Formula 1
