Alonso explains Alpine switch, Ricciardo ponders F1 future

Fernando Alonso wanted a long-term deal at Alpine that the team was not offering. So when Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement and Aston Martin needed a new driver, the Spaniard made a quick decision to switch teams.

The process was much longer for Daniel Ricciardo, who on Wednesday confirmed McLaren had bought out the final year of his contract. The split stung the Australian's pride but the decision — months in the making — was expected.

Ricciardo still wants to race in F1 but would consider a one-year sabbatical in 2023 if his options are limited for next season.

“If it made sense, yes. It’s the only racing I’m interested in. F1 is what I love and where I see myself, if I’m doing any racing,” Ricciardo said Thursday. “But if the stars don’t align and it doesn’t make perfect sense next year, and if it means taking that time off to reset, then that’s the right thing to do.

“That fire, that belief is still in me. I still love the sport. I haven’t lost that confidence in myself,” he added. “I want to do it competitively, I want to do it in the right place. I never want to just be a driver and make up the numbers.”

F1's “silly season” of free agency hit a frenzied pitch at the start of F1's summer break with Alonso's defection to Aston Martin. That he's still in demand at 41 years old is testimony to the remarkable longevity of his talent.

When Vettel finally decided his future, Aston Martin wasted no time reaching out to Alonso. Four days after Vettel's announcement, Alonso was named Aston Martin's driver for 2023.

“We started talking on that weekend briefly and (on) Monday morning we signed," Alonso said. “I think the project is very attractive, obviously there is a lot of investment going on ... engineers,