Fernando Alonso says McLaren 2019 is a step forward, but not enough to bring him back to F1

Fernando Alonso may have moved away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018. But only four months after 2019, he was already back in an F1 car. After trying McLaren's MCL34 during testing in Bahrain, the Spaniard seemed impressed by the work that the team had done.

"It's obviously a step forward in every aspect of the car," said Alonso after two days of racing at Sakhir. "I think the car has more grip, it's less dragging in a straight line. The engine is also better. Overall, I think the car is going in the right direction.

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"I think this year there is a good baseline and a good development program, and I think the season will be a lot better. I am happy. Especially last year, it was a good start, but we stopped development probably in May or June, which was painful until Abu Dhabi. I knew it was also my last season, so running with the same car from Barcelona to Abu Dhabi was painful.

"Obviously we saw in the first two races [of 2019] you still have one step to go if you want to compete with the top three teams. But at first I think, [to be the] fourth team or lead the midfield with Haas is the target. I also felt it on the car. "

You will notice that we did not say that Alonso was "retired" from Formula 1 and that the Spaniard was slyly leaving the door open when he announced his departure from the sport to allow a possible return if the atmosphere pushed further down the line. While driving, did the McLaren offer in 2019 give the impetus for the double champion to consider a return?

"Not really," said Alonso, who will now focus his attention on his second attempt against the 500m Indianapolis in May. "I think what I had to do in Formula 1 … it was already done in the past. No regrets.

"If one day I come back in Formula 1 – which I doubt because my decision is firm to stop the Formula 1 – it is if I win a world championship. This possibility is tempting for any pilot. But to finish seventh, sixth or fourth is not yet tempting. "

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