Fernando Alonso announced his decision to quite Formula 1 on Tuesday, but already there are rumours that the two-time champion could one day return to the sport.
"Talking about a final farewell is too early. In Formula 1 things change very fast," Alonso's longtime mentor and former team boss Flavio Briatore told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "One should never say never.
"I would like to witness Fernando in a Mercedes or Ferrari," he added, believing that the Spaniard is still fully up to the challenge.
“Alonso is constantly driving at the highest level," he insisted. "He is at least as strong as Hamilton and drives very consistently."
Briatore said he understood Alonso's decision to quit F1, given that McLaren has been unable to provide him with a car capable of contending for race wins, if not titles.
“I can explain Fernando’s decision," said Briatore. "it just made no sense to keep on racing for seventh and eighth plus. A driver loses the motivation.
"McLaren have to sort out their car, it most certainly is not the drivers," he added, saying the team could no longer blame its engine partner for its woes after switching to Honda over the winter.
"The terrific fourth place of Pierre Gasly in the Toro Rosso-Honda [in Bahrain] shows that McLaren has no more excuses."
But Alonso appeared to have no other options outside McLaren for a 2019 race seat in F1 that could present him with a race-winning opportunity.
“I also find it strange that in this Formula 1 era there is apparently no place to be found on the grid for a talented driver such as Fernando," opined Briatore.
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One theory put forward by Red Bull boss Christian Horner is that Alonso is difficult to manage and creates 'chaos' in every team he races for. Briatore poured scorn on that suggestion.
“I’m friends with Christian, but here Horner is not one to speak," he said. “If there is a racing team that cannot handle their drivers, then it is Red Bull.
"That’s exactly why Daniel Ricciardo is leaving," he added.
"Fernando drove for me and he glorified the Renault team. He was an exemplary team mate for the other drivers, a benchmark for the engineers."
The big question now is where Alonso will take his undeniable talent in 2019. The Verizon IndyCar Series looks to be the best bet, but Briatore says he's got no idea where Alonso will end up next season - if anywhere.
"First, it is time to finish the F1 season and the World Endurance Championship," he said. "I could understand it if he takes a break."
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