Fernando Alonso has enjoyed many great achievements during his career in F1, but he's also suffered a few big misses. The Spaniard has revealed one thing he would change if he could go back in time.
Alonso's journey in the sport has unfolded over two decades, and at 42 the Aston Martin charger is showing no signs of departing the grid and heading into a plush retirement, especially given his team's strong campaign this year.
From his early triumphs with Renault to his tenures at Ferrari and McLaren, Alonso has built his legacy on his enduring passion for racing and unwavering competitive spirit, both of which – coupled with his exceptional skills – have made him a revered figure in the world of motorsports.
Alonso secured two World Championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006, but the Spaniard's near-misses in the championships he didn't win, especially during his time with Ferrari, are often cited as evidence of his deserving more titles.
In 2010 and 2012, he came agonizingly close to clinching the world title, losing out by narrow margins due to various factors, some of which were beyond his control.
Speaking to Jake Humphrey on the latter's High Performance Podcast, Alonso revealed his biggest regret in his F1 career, and unsurprisingly it involved his years with Ferrari.
"Winning a championship with Ferrari, that will probably be the first thing I would choose, if I can go back in time," said the 32-time Grand Prix winner who spent five season with the Scuderia.
"2010, 2012, we were within a few laps of winning the championship. That probably could have changed a little bit the outcome of many things, the history behind a few things."
However, Alonso's biggest regret isn't linked to missing out on a specific sporting achievement, but rather to the fact that he wishes that he had simply more enjoyed his time in the paddock, something he has realized as he approached the epilogue of his career.
"What I regret, for sure, was not to enjoy more my time, my career," he added.
"I know that I am at the end of it. There’s a new life in a few years' time for me without driving and when I look back on my career I will see a lot of good things and good friendships and incredible experiences.
"But it’s like I should have enjoyed [it] more. If I had the opportunity to live my exact life once more maybe I don’t change anything with my teams, with my choices or this Ferrari title.
"I would change to live a little bit more all those moments and try to have more memories from those moments.
"I won the championship in Brazil 2005 and 2006, and I hardly remember anything from those afternoons and nights which is sad."
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