A prominent ex-Formula 1 driver believes Fernando Alonso's time in the sport is drawing to a close.
Rene Arnoux, who raced for Ferrari like Alonso, labelled the 43-year-old Spaniard "one of the biggest disappointments" of the recent Chinese Grand Prix.
"When he's not fighting close to (Lance) Stroll, it says a lot," the 76-year-old Frenchman told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think he is nearing the end of his career."
The two-time world champion Alonso is already secured with Aston Martin for 2026, though rumours suggest Honda may press—and lucratively fund—a move to bring Yuki Tsunoda to the Silverstone-based squad.
There's also talk that Aston Martin is prepared to offer substantial sums to lure Max Verstappen.
Countering Arnoux's critique of Alonso, Lewis Hamilton—another driver in his 40s—recently decried the prevailing wave of harsh commentary.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, overseeing the seven-time world champion, concurs.
"Let's acknowledge that some of the criticism has been very harsh," he told L'Equipe. "To suggest that Lewis is worn out, finished, is very harsh. And also false."
