SILVERSTONE, England — Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso made it clear on Thursday he will abandon Formula One if the dispute between the teams’ association and the governing body isn’t resolved.
The Spaniard’s Renault outfit is one of five members of the Formula One Teams’ Association that must confirm today whether they will sign up unconditionally to enter the 2010 season. FOTA has opposed plans by the ruling FIA to introduce a voluntary US$60-million budget cap.
“For me the new Formula One would be unattractive, with the small teams and no drivers,” the 27-year-old Alonso said. “We want to compete with the best teams in the world, the maximum technology: we all want to compete with the best drivers.
“If this is not what Formula One is about next year, then it will be another category with that. I won’t retire, I will drive for another championship.”
A FOTA breakaway series is planned if Renault along with constructors’ championship leader Brawn GP, McLaren, BMW Sauber and Toyota cannot thrash out a deal with FIA president Max Mosley, who is vowing not to change his organization’s stance.
“I really hope they find a solution, but I know it’s difficult times,” Alonso said as he prepared for Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. “It’s a critical moment for Formula One and we need to be ready for any sort of decision tomorrow.
“If we do not race in Formula One next year it changes many things. It won’t be the same. We know we’ll race, but it will be different.”
If the breakaway series does not come to fruition, Alonso will consider his options elsewhere.