Alonso would be happy to retire with three titles

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-24 09:14

Formula One's double world champion Fernando Alonso said he would be happy to retire with just one more title, the day after securing his second consecutive championship in Brazil.

Renault's Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrates with the Renault team after finishing second in the Brazilian Grand Prix, the last F1 race of the season, at the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo, October 22, 2006.[Reuters]

 

The 25-year-old Spaniard leaves Renault to race with McLaren for the next three seasons, a route followed by Brazilian former world champion Ayrton Senna.

"To join McLaren and never to race with Ferrari reminds me a lot of Senna," Alonso told Spanish television station Telecinco on Monday.

"He won three titles and for me, to retire with three, and achieve what he achieved would be the objective of my career."

Alonso endured some tough moments in the final few races this year as Ferrari's Michael Schumacher closed on him in the run up to the final race in Brazil.

Speaking of the Italian Grand Prix controversy, when he was punished by the sport's governing body for allegedly blocking a Ferrari rival in qualifying, Alonso did not hide his anger.

"Not to have won this year would have been made me really angry, and would have been such an injustice," Alonso added.

"For this reason I was extra motivated in Brazil to make sure that everything remained where it has done throughout the year, in our own hands."

Alonso came in second to Felipe Massa at Interlagos to take the world title, while seven-times world champion Schumacher finished fourth in the final race of his career.