Alonso: Move to McLaren in 2015 seen as 'mega decision' at the time

Fernando Alonso reiterated his feelings about not regretting his choice to join McLaren-Honda in 2015, insisting the move was viewed at the time by most in the F1 paddock as a "mega decision".

Alonso headed to Woking at the end of 2014 after a five-year stint at Ferrari which had yielded eleven race wins but no world title.

In hindsight, a few of the Spaniard's past career moves appear as ill-inspired and a story of being in the right place at the wrong time.

But with regard to McLaren and the dismal four seasons spent with the beleaguered team, Alonso says most drivers in his shoes back in 2014 would have likely followed the same logic that encouraged him to leave Maranello and move to what he perceived at the time as greener pastures.

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"I think in F1 there is always one winner, and all the others are not winning," he said.

"I’ve been unlucky in some of the races, but without a crystal ball, it’s difficult to make decision.

"After you finish your chapter, it’s easy to say. But when I joined Ferrari in 2010, I think 10 of 10 [drivers] would have gone in that direction.

"When I joined McLaren-Honda in 2015, all 2014, I’d been hearing that it was a very good decision, because the turbo engine from Ferrari was not good.

"McLaren and Honda had one year of development for free as they were not racing (together) in 2014, and that was a mega decision.

"I’d been hearing good things, and I think nine out of 10 [drivers] would have gone in that direction."

Alonso refuses to harbor regrets about the past, and points to a few of his colleagues with track records that don't necessarily tell the true story of their career.

"I think I don’t regret many things, I’m happy with the decisions," said the 37-year-old who hasn't completely closed the door on F1.

"Only one is happy here, which is Lewis Hamilton. To be second, seventh or 12th, it’s the same.

"I won two championships, 97 podiums and I have mates with a lot of talent, like Nico Hulkenberg, with zero podiums; Sebastian [Vettel], a lot of years now not winning; Verstappen, zero titles; Ricciardo, great talent, zero titles.

"They are all unlucky probably, but it’s the way of the sport and F1. With all those things coming from the north of Spain, go-karting, two times world champion – no regrets on anything."

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