Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Indecent proposal? How Sainz's big idea to change F1 qualifying might work

Feature
Formula 1
British GP
Indecent proposal? How Sainz's big idea to change F1 qualifying might work

Why Ferrari fears "deficit could be twice as big" to Mercedes at Silverstone and Spa

Formula 1
British GP
Why Ferrari fears "deficit could be twice as big" to Mercedes at Silverstone and Spa

How "charging station" Silverstone will really look different in F1 2026

Formula 1
British GP
How "charging station" Silverstone will really look different in F1 2026

Alonso denies claim that Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade will decide his F1 future

Formula 1
British GP
Alonso denies claim that Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade will decide his F1 future

Dixon to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at end of 2026 IndyCar season

IndyCar
Mid-Ohio
Dixon to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at end of 2026 IndyCar season

Kay back to the top of Autosport National Rankings table

National
Kay back to the top of Autosport National Rankings table

Alonso: Silverstone will be "not fun to drive" with 2026 F1 cars

Formula 1
British GP
Alonso: Silverstone will be "not fun to drive" with 2026 F1 cars

Motorsport UK and BRDC unite to develop young British drivers

National
Motorsport UK and BRDC unite to develop young British drivers

Alonso: Certain "lies" have spread about my F1 career

Fernando Alonso feels certain "lies" have been spread about his Formula 1 career, including his 2012 title defeat, where images of him post-race in Brazil painted him as "in shock"

In that race at Interlagos, Alonso lost the world title to Sebastian Vettel in a final-race decider that was turned on its head on the first lap when Red Bull driver Vettel collided with Bruno Senna before staging a comeback to deprive Alonso by three points.

In an exclusive interview with F1 Racing magazine, Alonso says images suggesting "the story was that I was in shock or sad" are incorrect, and that he was in fact looking for his then Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, who had finished third behind Alonso and race winner Jenson Button.

"There are lies about my career that are not the truth," said Alonso.

"I got out of my car and I was looking at Felipe, who for some reason could not stop crying.

"He was with his mechanics and wife, so I was standing there waiting for him, seeing if he was okay.

"The story was that I was in shock or sad - no, I didn't care that much. I wanted to give Felipe a hug."



Alonso said that he has "heard people say that I was selfish in my career", but insisted "at Ferrari and at other teams I always used to share my prize bonus with my mechanics".

He added: "I thought if we were getting a podium or race win, it was not only me but team work. So, if I won $30,000 I would share it with my team.

"When I join a project, I commit 100% with that team and I dedicate my life to that team and those guys and they appreciate it. The last thing that I am is selfish.

"Why is it that I have performed better than my team-mates? I cannot say sorry for that."

In the same interview, Alonso also expressed regret for describing Honda's first attempt at a V6 turbo power unit as a "GP2 engine" at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.

"It came from a place of frustration and maybe I should not say that, but I didn't say it in the TV pen or the press conference," he said.

"I was talking to my engineer in a private conversation [which was broadcast]. It was not meant to be public.

"But the engine was very bad. The first year in Jerez, in four days we did seven laps.

"Now Honda wins a race and I receive a lot of messages that read: 'GP2 engine wins now, it should be a sad day for you.'

"I'm very happy, but the engine I had in the car was not the same as the one winning in Brazil."

Previous article Williams set for digital F1 car launch ahead of testing
Next article Why Verstappen's new Red Bull deal was critical to Honda's F1 future

Top Comments

Latest news