Abu Dhabi: Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is marking his exit from Ferrari by wearing a new commemorative helmet at the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 33-year-old is heavily rumoured to be joining McLaren and is being replaced at Ferrari by four-time defending world champion, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, it was announced on Thursday.
Explaining the relevance of his new headgear, which he is sporting at the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend, the Spaniard told a press conference: “I am wearing a helmet with a picture of a pit stop this year on one side, the Italian flag in the middle and the signatures of everybody in the team on the other side. I just told them [the team] this morning that it’s the last time I will jump in a Ferrari, so I want to bring all of them with me, because they were part of this fantastic experience and I want to do my last race with them on the track.”
Alonso said he had started collecting signatures from Ferrari team members at the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi last month, but that the helmet still lacks certain names.
“When I arrived here, we were missing 20 or 25 [names], so now the helmet is not as perfect as it should be,” he added. “But I am happy and proud of them and happy to wear them on my helmet.”
Meanwhile, McLaren says it will announce its new drivers on December 1 — yet would Alonso relish the chance to join British stalwart Jenson Button at the British team?
Button is reportedly set to quit the sport for sports cars and the Le Mans-style World Endurance Championship, and Alonso was less than enthusiastic when asked if he would choose the 34-year-old as his teammate.
“Hmm,” Alonso said.
“Take your time!” said Button.
Alonso replied: “I don’t know where I will be, so we will see.”
