Alonso Threatens Retirement After FIA Unveils Its Latest Cost-Cutting Solution
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Dec 03, 2008
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Fernando Alonso might ponder retirement if FIA goes through with its plans for Formula One to have a sole engine and transmission supplier starting from 2010.
“If they approve a single engine, that would be the last straw. It would be time to start thinking about retirement,” Alonso said.
F1 teams haven’t been impressed by FIA’s cost-cutting solutions, with Ferrari already saying it could pull out of Formula One if the sport’s governing body goes ahead with plans to have a standardized engine to help cut lower team budgets amid the global financial crisis.
Alonso said streamlining the engines would be another “step backward,” after F1 already scrapped 3-litre V10 engines in favour of 2.4-litre V8 machines after the 2005 season.
“(The V10 engine) was exciting for pilots – auto racing at its limit,” Alonso said. “We’ve gone from a glimpse of the future to cars without electronic aids and no traction, which is a visual image of the past.”
However, Alonso was positive about next year’s regulation changes, which include having teams use slick tires and the new KERS energy recovery system, saying it would even the field and help him fight for a third F1 title with Renault.
The Spaniard, however, believes he is well placed to regain the world title with Renault in 2009.
“I cannot allow myself to start the championship without thinking I am going to win,” he added.
“My aim and that of the team is the title. It’s a very clear objective, even if as the year progresses one may have to adapt to circumstances.”
