Publications
Partners
At the end of 2018, Fernando Alonso will no longer compete in Formula 1, McLaren announced on Wednesday.
Carlos Sainz will replace outgoing Alonso in 2019.
Alonso has endured a frustrating tenure at the British team since his return for a second stint in 2015. The Spaniard is unlikely to add to his tally of 32 grand prix wins, which puts him sixth on the list of GP winners.
The 37-year-old has two world championships to his name, winning back-to-back titles with Renault in the mid-2000s.
Social media was abuzz with fans and driver sharing well-wishes and their opinions regarding one of the most popular drivers in the paddock. One tweet caught my attention.
It centred around a crash between Alonso and Ralf Schumacher at the 2004 Monaco GP, during which the Spaniard was knocked off course in the tunnel and subsequently showed his middle finger to the passing German.
During a TV interview following the race Alonso told reporters what he experienced: "Ralf was in front of me, he moved to the right in the tunnel and then when we were side by side he wont on the throttle again, until he pushed me onto the outside into the barrier."
Vintage Alonso then, pulling no punches.
Watch the clip below: