Fernando Alonso says he is not desperate to win another world championship as he is learning about “different priorities” as he nears the end of his career.
The Spaniard joined McLaren from Ferrari over the winter, leaving his contract at Maranello two years early to be part of the new McLaren-Honda partnership from its first season. Despite a tough start to the season - allied to Ferrari’s victory in Malaysia two weeks ago - Alonso says winning races is not his only motivation having been in F1 since 2001.
“Obviously I would like to win because we are sportsmen and we are all competitive,” Alonso said. “But also thanks to this age and thanks to the moment of your career you start to look for other things.
“I’ve been lucky to win championships and to win many grands prix and now sometimes I feel more happy and more proud of my job and my team doing the things that we are doing now than winning a trophy.
“It’s not the end of the world to win two or three grands prix, to win even a championship; things that are supposed to be the best reward for a sportsman. There are some times where you arrive to a maturity and a state of mind let’s say, there are different priorities in life.”
Alonso also says he sees himself ending his career at McLaren before moving on to pursue other passions outside of the sport.
“After 15 or 16 or 17 years of Formula One, whatever it will be, it’s enough. I will close the loop, I will close that part of my life. I started with a McLaren-Honda when I was three years old - a replica [made] by my father - I will finish with a McLaren-Honda but the real one in Formula One.
“That will be one third of my life with great experiences, with great memories and great friendship but normal life will start that day when I retire. I don’t think that I will see myself here as a manager or following the sport. That will be enough.”
By Chris Medland in Shanghai
Click here for Friday's gallery from the Chinese Grand Prix
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
