Nick Fry reveals Alonso's worst career blunder

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Fernando Alonso's worst career move isn't what most people think it is, meaning his decision to leave Ferrari for McLaren in 2015.

A few years earlier, in 2008, following a year at McLaren battling team mate Lewis Hamilton, Alonso passed on an opportunity which, if he had taken it, would have likely yielded multiple world titles.

Former Brawn GP and Mercedes CEO Nick Fry has revealed that the Spaniard turned down an offer from Honda in 2008, subsequently missing out on racing for Brawn GP in its championship year in 2009 and likely wasting a chance thereafter to pick up a couple more titles with Mercedes.

"Fernando Alonso should have been driving for Nick Fry and Ross Brawn in 2009," Fry explained at the Sin Limites Management and Business Summit (MABS) in Spain.

"If he did, he would be four times world champion today!

"Fernando Alonso could be one of the lost talents. If he had made better decisions, he would have done much better," added Fry.

Indeed, as Ross Brawn set out to build Honda's world championship prospects for 2008, Alonso was at the top of his list as he knew the Spaniard was keen on leaving McLaren and his fractious relationship with Hamilton.

In the end however, Alonso signed with Renault where he raced for two seasons before moving on to Ferrari in 2010, while Brawn eventually hired Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello with the former crowned world champion in 2009.

There was definitely another life that Fernando Alonso might have had, with just a spark of better judgement.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.