Coulthard: Alonso’s too old for a top F1 ride (Update)

Alonso finds himself shutout of F1 and IndyCar

UPDATE (GMM) Fernando Alonso can probably forget about returning to Formula 1 in 2021.

That is the view of his former contemporary David Coulthard, who told Spain's EFE news agency that he cannot see where the two-time world champion could slot back into the grid.

"I know he wants to come back, but he seems to have run out of options," Coulthard said.

"I don't think Mercedes loves or needs him; I don't think Ferrari loves or needs him. I think it's the same for Red Bull, so where would he go? McLaren? Would they want him there again?" the Scot added.

Alonso, 38, is also struggling to find a cockpit for May's Indy 500, with Honda having reportedly vetoed a deal with Andretti.

Coulthard said of the Spaniard: "I think sometimes you just have no choice other than to accept things.

"For me, Fernando is one of the most talented drivers in the history of Formula 1, with that strange sort of talent that is comparable to Hamilton, Schumacher and Senna.

"But everything has its time, and it may have come for him," he added.

David Coulthard. Two years ago in F1 Alonso outqualified his teammate (Vandoorne) in every single race. A complete whitewash. Now he can't drive?

02/16/20 Although Fernando Alonso wants to return to F1, Ex-driver David Coulthard doesn’t see where there would be a place for him.

Speaking to AS, as quoted by Insideracing.com, Coulthard said: “I know he wants to come back, but I don’t think he has a choice.

“I don’t think Mercedes needs him or wants him. I don’t think Ferrari needs him or wants him. I don’t think Red Bull needs him or wants him.

Where’s he going to go? Back to McLaren?"

Coulthard made it clear that he rates Alonso as one of the greatest talents F1 has seen, but at the age of 38, maybe he needs to accept that his days at the pinnacle of motorsport are over.

“For me, Alonso is one of the most talented drivers ever in Formula 1, really talented like [Lewis] Hamilton, [Michael] Schumacher or [Ayrton] Senna," he explained.

“Everything he’s driven has been in a hurry, but everyone has their moment and maybe it has come for him."