Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has not ruled ever returning to Formula 1 despite retiring from the sport at the end of last season.
The Spanish driver, 37, raced for 17 seasons in F1, winning the championship with Renault in 2005 and 2006.
After finishing his F1 career with McLaren in 2018 Alonso remains part of their team as an ambassador and the BBC reports that the new role will also see him test their F1 car this season.
Although he is focused on completing motor sport’s “Triple Crown” – the F1 Monaco Grand Prix, IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race – Alonso says an F1 return could one day happen if a top team came calling.
Speaking to the Daily Express he said: “You’re always going to miss Formula 1 because they are the fastest cars on the planet.
“If you have the opportunity to be with a top team with the possibility of winning, you will always say ‘yes’ because F1 is F1.”
Aiming for the Indy 500
A previous winner in Monaco and Le Mans, Alonso needs a victory at the Indy 500 to complete the triple milestone.
He added: “I’ll do the remaining WEC races and Le Mans again, but my head is in Indianapolis and trying to win that race.
“I know it’s the hardest of the three in the Triple Crown because I grew up in F1 and if you have a good car, you can win the championship.
“And at Le Mans with Toyota we had a very good chance of winning because we had a better car, but Indianapolis is different.”
McLaren are special
As well as his ambassadorial and F1 testing roles, Alonso will also drive for McLaren Racing at Indianapolis in May.
Speaking to the BBC last month he said he was delighted to remain at his “spiritual home”.
“McLaren is a special team, and despite the challenges we have endured recently, it remains so,” said Alonso.
“I said before I stopped racing in Formula 1 last year that I see myself with McLaren for a long time to come, so I am delighted at this new role and the ability to stay closely involved with the team I feel is my spiritual home.
“We have the Indianapolis 500 in May of course, which I am looking forward to immensely, but this is just the beginning of many things we can do together.
“I am particularly passionate about nurturing young talent, whether that’s with my own team or helping the new generation of Formula 1 drivers at McLaren unlock their true potential.
“This is important to both the team and myself, so will be an especially rewarding part of my role.”
