With his Formula One career set to come to an end in Abu Dhabi next month, Fernando Alonso admits he’s starting to get a little emotional.
The 37-year-old confirmed in August that he would retire from Formula One after 17 years in the sport, having spent his final four seasons at a depleted McLaren side.
Although he is yet to give any indication as to where he will race next year, it is likely that Toyota will retain him for another World Endurance Championship campaign, with McLaren’s imminent move into IndyCar providing another fresh option for his future in motorsport.
And with just four races left this season, the two-time world champion says it has finally started to sink in that he will be leaving Formula One after nearly two decades.
“I’ve found myself recording the parade laps in the last couple of races with my phone,” Alonso told CNN.
“I’ve never done that in my life, but now it’s like I want to record everything.
“I want to have that last memory of each race.
“From August, when I decided to announce the retirement, every single race has been a little more emotional than normal.
“Every driver’s parade, every fan session has been a little bit different… it gets even more difficult.”
Alonso’s focus is firmly set on completing motorsport’s “Triple Crown” – victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the Indy 500.
The Spaniard won at Monaco in both 2006 and 2007, while he was part of Toyota’s victorious team at Le Mans in June. An attempt to win the 2017 Indy 500 finished with 21 of the 200 laps remaining due to engine failure, but he looks set to give it another shot in 2019.
“I achieved much more than what I dreamed of when I started,” he added. “I think it’s the right time now because there are some other challenges out of Formula One that I’m very, very interested in now.
“My idea is to win all the iconic motor sport races in the world.”
