Fernando Alonso: Future options assessed for McLaren ace – IndyCar, WEC, retirement

The future of Fernando Alonso is the subject of great debate with the two-time F1 world champion out of contract at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has had to put up with a severe lack of performance from McLaren since returning to the Woking outfit in 2015.

Alonso has not finished on the podium during his second spell with the team but has consistently exceeded expectations and outperformed team-mates in an underpowered car.

The 37-year-old has an option to extend his contract with McLaren for another year, although he said last month that he would make a decision during F1’s mid-season break.

Over the past few years, Alonso has been focused on achieving the “Triple Crown” of motorsport.

This involves winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indy 500 – a feat only Graham Hill has pulled off.

Alonso has already triumphed in Monaco twice while the Spaniard was part of the victorious Toyota outfit at this year’s Le Mans event.

With just the Indy 500 left to conquer, Alonso has several options on the table ahead of a potentially historic 2019.

Stay at McLaren

Alonso has cut a frustrated figure at McLaren since returning from Ferrari in 2014, with the Spaniard often let down by the pace and reliability of his car.

He has easily outscored team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne over the past two seasons and his reputation in the F1 paddock remains intact, despite a meagre points return.

McLaren would be keen to take up the extra year on his contract and have been flexible regarding Alonso’s attempts at the “Triple Crown”.

However, the Spaniard may well have reached the end of his tether after a lack of development and depart in search of a fresh challenge.

Move to another F1 team

While Alonso is undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers of his generation, the 37-year-old has developed a reputation for being difficult to work with.

Lewis Hamilton would not have tolerated his former McLaren team-mate at Mercedes even before Valtteri Bottas signed a new deal, while Red Bull boss Christian Horner claims the star has caused “chaos” wherever he’s driven.

Kimi Raikkonen looks set to retain his seat alongside Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari although Charles Leclerc is waiting in the wings should the Finn move on.

Meanwhile, Renault were reportedly keen on signing the man who lifted the world title driving for them back in 2005 and 2006, but the French outfit were unable to meet Alonso’s wage demands.

Therefore, any move the disgruntled star makes is not likely to propel him any closer to the top step of the podium with midfield rivals the only remaining options.

IndyCar switch

With just the Indy 500 remaining in order to complete the “Triple Crown”, a full season in IndyCar is an option for Alonso.

The Spaniard was in contention to win on his debut in 2017 before the Honda engine in his McLaren Andretti gave up on lap 179.

Alonso has hinted that a full-time IndyCar drive would improve his chances in the showpiece race, while McLaren boss Zak Brown talked up his driver’s love of the category last week.

The American series has even got involved in the speculation on Twitter, posting a cheeky response to Alonso’s latest cryptic tweet.

WEC focus

Alonso has driven every race in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) so far in 2018, tasting the champagne at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Spaniard is obviously at home in the gruelling endurance division, although the appeal of the series will undoubtedly have lessened after his triumph at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

The Le Mans victory means Alonso is now one of just two active drivers – the other being Juan Pablo Montoya – with two of the three “Triple Crown” components.

The McLaren star has been able to compete alongside his F1 commitments, so it is unlikely he would abandon an F1 race seat for a full-time endurance drive when he has already achieved what he set out to do in the series.

Sabbatical or retirement

At 37 Alonso is the second-oldest driver on the F1 grid this season, with only Kimi Raikkonen boasting more years.

Both made their debuts in 2001 and are approaching two decades at the top of the sport.

The endless travelling, training and testing must surely start to take its toll on the veterans, and a lack of on-track success has only highlighted the draining nature of Alonso’s schedule.

With a new generation of drivers coming through the ranks spearheaded by Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly, 2019 could finally be the time Alonso chooses to step out of the limelight.

While it may initially be a temporary time-out as the Spaniard waits for a more attractive race seat to become available, there is a danger of being left in the cold permanently as the young guns fill the top seats.