Fernando Alonso jokes about retirement: “Only Nico Rosberg could choose when to stop”. Fernando Alonso discusses his retirement plans during the Miami media day.

Alonso teases Rosberg: retiring is not a choice

During yesterday’s media day in Miami, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso gave a long interview in which he addressed the topic of his possible retirement. At 44 years old—turning 45 on July 29—the two-time world champion still seems, mentally at least, like a young driver.

He feels strong and satisfied with his career. The Spaniard is fully aware that he will not race in Formula 1 forever, but he also knows that he will not simply stop competing altogether. There are other categories ready to open their doors to him, and this makes him very calm about his future. The Asturian enjoys racing anything with four wheels and an engine, and this is something he intends to continue doing for a long time to come.

Alonso: “You can’t choose when to retire. I think only Rosberg did that”

“I feel 100% at the moment and I would like to retire when I no longer feel like this,” the former Ferrari driver said to Marca.com.

“I believe my performances are good enough to show the team that I can still deliver results. You can never be completely sure, of course, but the car also has to do its part. I am helping the team as much as I can, and I think in the end the decision is mine alone.”

While making this comment, the Spaniard may have recalled something linked to Mercedes and how the 2016 world champion stepped away immediately after winning the title. Fernando Alonso then chose to close the retirement discussion with a pointed remark:

“Sometimes in sport things don’t go as smoothly as you hope, and living through those moments with disappointment is not always ideal. These are things that don’t depend only on you. I mean… you can’t choose when to retire. I think only Rosberg did that,” he said with a laugh.

“I am satisfied with my career.”

In summary, Fernando Alonso remains fully committed to his racing career, emphasizing that while he feels at the top of his game, the timing of retirement is rarely a choice a driver gets to make—unless, as he noted with a laugh, your name is Nico Rosberg.