Fernando Alonso gives update on potential decision over Formula 1 future past 2022

Alpine driver and two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has said that he will make a decision on staying in the sport in the middle of the year, with him hoping that 2022 is going to show signs of a potential championship challenge in the near future.

The 2022 regulations offer an opportunity for the likes of Alpine to jump from the midfield and close the gap to the top teams, providing they get their car design right.

Certainly, if they give Fernando Alonso the vehicle then he will surely deliver the results, and he has said that if podiums can be challenged for this year, then a championship fight might not be too far around the corner.

That all said, then, it appears he wants to see signs of that coming on the horizon before committing to staying in the sport for a little longer past 2022, though he has said he is currently in the frame of mind where he probably would remain for now:

“As of now, I would say yes,” Alonso told RTL when asked if he’d extend past 2022.

“I really feel the strength to continue. But I’ll only decide in the middle of the year.

“Hopefully it [the new rules] will allow us to fight for podiums, because if you fight for podiums every weekend then eventually victory will come.

“And if you fight for podiums and wins then maybe next year you’re a world championship contender.

“It has to come step by step, and we want to take the first step now.”

It’s clear Fernando wants to see podiums being challenged for as the aim this season, then, and we’ll have to see if Alpine can deliver a car to help him achieve such a goal.