What is Fernando Alonso going to do next year? It’s the question on the lips of not just F1 fans, but also motorsport fans. It’s hard to imagine him committing to another year of F1 given that McLaren doesn’t look like being a championship contender any time soon, and he himself shot down the already ridiculous rumours that he might go to Red Bull.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂!!! definitely one of the best things ever!!! Summer hit !!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. #fromlastweekNothanks https://t.co/IaFD3tIMh4
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 9, 2018
Will he stay in F1? Will he go and do IndyCar? Or will he something else entirely? It seems we might not have to wait too much longer to find out – if this tweet and accompanying countdown gif is anything to go by.
💥14-08💥 pic.twitter.com/ojiXsM0NwI
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 11, 2018
It seems like something is happening and the mere anticipation sent fans into a frenzy.
— Mattzel89 (@Mattzel89) August 11, 2018
Waiting for IndyCar announcement like pic.twitter.com/814OTSrw0U
— James (@Cozzie1_) August 11, 2018
14-08
14+8=22
22nd victory of fernando is his first with ferrari
consclusion: Alosno to ferrari 2019 pic.twitter.com/NKPvMGuMXQ— Marc (@marcgp_2000) August 12, 2018
— 🅳🅰🅽🅸🅴🅻🅴1985 (@danielefesta85) August 11, 2018
🚨#FREDWATCH ADVISORY SYSTEM UPDATE:🚨
The #FernandoWATCH level has just been upgraded to HIGH until more information is available about what 💥14-08💥 means. #INDYCAR
As always, please retweet to ensure your friends are aware and take necessary precautions. pic.twitter.com/oulngYebmk
— fauxWillPocono⚠️🏁 (@fauxWillPower) August 11, 2018
IndyCar then stoked the fire by putting out this highly-suggestive tweet:
We still on for lunch tomorrow, @alo_oficial? https://t.co/c59VdAHU18 https://t.co/VoTpoj8nNP
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) August 13, 2018
Of course, that’s only upped the hype levels even more:
@IndyCar knows something we’ve being hoping for, don’t you?
— Frankie (@ft308_) August 13, 2018
— VictorF1 (@f1pills) August 13, 2018
— Antony Hamilton (@antonyhamilton5) August 13, 2018
Alonso to IndyCar hype level: I have now turned on tweet notifications for Fernando's account in anticipation for tomorrow's announcement
— big dick brennergy (@DannyBrennan72) August 13, 2018
Hope Fernando tomorrow announces FULL INDY SEASON NEXT YEAR
— Rene Dowling (@Fernando93Ramos) August 13, 2018
Please don't tease me like this.
— Jeremy (@jeremypkeller) August 13, 2018
Is Fernando about to announce that he’s leaving F1 to do a full IndyCar season in 2019? It would make sense. He’s already won two legs of the triple crown, which surely makes having a full assault on IndyCar and the Indy 500 even more appealing.
Also, if he continues in F1, he’ll either have to miss the Australian Grand Prix or the Sebring round of the WEC. If he skipped the WEC race that would almost certainly cost him the championship. If he skipped the Australian GP and the McLaren turned out to be an absolute belter, it would potentially hurt his championship chances in F1.
On top of that, IndyCar team boss Michael Andretti recently said that although he’d love to have Alonso drive for him, the decision had to be made by 19 August. Whatever this announcement is, it certainly fits within that timescale.
However, IndyCar could just be having a laugh and the announcement could be about nothing. These two tweets probably take a more realistic view of what it could be about…
Kimoa have got a sale on haven't they? 😂
— Tommo Miles (@ThomasMiles77) August 11, 2018
If this Alonso thing turns out to be something about clothes or whatever the entire IndyCar community's gonna blow up
— LE Kirby26 (@ITSAKIRBY26) August 13, 2018
Yeah, it’ll probably be about Kimoa. That or his karting school.
Either way, we haven’t got to wait long to find out.
