Alonso admits 2013 not best season as driver
The Spaniard was chosen as best driver of 2013 by his peers, a repeat from last year.
Dec.23 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has acknowledged he did not perform as strongly in 2013 as he did the previous year.
Recently, the Spanish sports daily AS conducted a survey among Alonso's driver rivals asking them to say whether they thought the Ferrari driver or the quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel was the best driver of 2013.
The Spaniard came out on top.
"It's always good to know that you are recognised by your peers," Alonso responded, "but I think 2012 was the best in my career.
"This season, there were times when I did not do well enough, such as when I could have had a little more performance, or when I made a mistake like in Malaysia.
"These are things that cannot be repeated next year," he insisted. "We must look to have a year of perfection, like 2012.
"What matters is that you are comfortable with yourself, but there are things that will be improved 2013 to 2014," added Alonso.
It has been rumoured Alonso is slowly but steadily falling out with Ferrari, and that he thought seriously about switching to Red Bull or McLaren for 2014.
The McLaren rumours are still strong, particularly after his old foe at Woking, supremo Ron Dennis, answered "never say never" when considering a return to the famous British team for Alonso.
Asked specifically about Dennis' comments, Alonso would not be moved.
"You cannot comment on everything you read every day," he said, "or you would need someone working for you who only does that."
And Alonso insisted he is happy with his choice of team for 2014, and the start of the new turbo V6 era.
"Maybe some have done well in choosing Red Bull in recent years," he said, "but the safest option for any professional driver is to choose Ferrari.
"They said we (Ferrari) went wrong this year, but just look at Williams or McLaren," added Alonso.
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
“Even faster than Ferrari” – Fernando Alonso grabs Aston Martin’s best result of F1 2026
What the drivers are expecting from F1's return to Sepang
Fernando Alonso’s idea to ‘save’ F1 before the V8 return – and how realistic it is
Charles Leclerc: Ferrari must learn from Red Bull to improve F1 race strategy
Charles Leclerc explains why Bahrain GP chaos has reinforced F1 driver fears
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
How Williams wants to avoid a repeat of its 2026 “disaster” next year
2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Guide to schedule, driver meet-ups, and race week parties
Jeb Burton joins RSS Racing, will drive father Ward Burton's No. 22
Stewart Friesen to run Kyle Busch throwback scheme in Charlotte NASCAR Truck race
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
How F1 let a golden opportunity slip at Sepang
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments