Alonso sets 2021 agenda - rules out F1 return

Fernando Alonso has apparently decided what he will be doing in 2021, but the Spaniard predictably revealed that there will be no return to F1.

Alonso, who left F1 at the end of 2018, is so far this season only committed to racing in the Indy 500 at the end of August, a challenge he will undertake as Arrow McLaren SP's third entry at the Brickyard.

The Spaniard will be vying for a second start in the event after his impressive debut in 2017 and after his botched attempt to make the 33-car field in 2019.

"I know more or less what I’m going to do in 2021," Alonso said, speaking in an interview on the official Le Mans Instangam account. "I hope you will know soon, but I can’t say more now."

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Whatever event or category of racing his plans will include, there will be no Formula 1.

It's hard to imagine an opportunity arising for the 38-year-old, but the 32-time Grand Prix winner justified his absence by the sport's decision to delay its new regulations by a year.

"I always said look, in 2021, there are new rules in Formula 1, I may come [back], because maybe there is more interest and the cars are more balanced, and maybe I’m hungry for travelling again or putting myself in contention," Alonso said.

"F1 now delayed the rules to 2022. That’s bad news in a way for the sport, because I think they need to balance the cars and need these new rules as soon as possible. But it’s a choice that is understandable, because with the current situation, it was not possible to develop the cars for next year."

Regarding 2021, Alonso also dismissed a full season in IndyCar.

"The commitment to do that [IndyCar] will be too high, at this part of my life. I think a few years ago, maybe that was a possibility, but right now, to do 16 or 17 races, to know all the circuits, I will require a level of preparation or commitment that maybe at this time in life I’m not happy to take.

"The Indy 500 is already a nice commitment and a long preparation for one race, so I cannot imagine for the whole championship. That would be full dedication."

However, Alonso is keeping the Dakar rally raid on his radar for the future.

"I love the spirit of the Dakar," he said. "I shared moments with drivers, mechanics, journalists, you are in the middle of the desert, there are no hotels, toilets, many things that you are used to in other races, and there is no difference between people.

"I think it was three weeks of pure experience. Hopefully I can go back someday, I have several years to do it, Carlos (Sainz) won it at 57 this year.

"Hopefully I can go back, be more competitive and try to win."

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