Motorsport

Fernando Alonso: ‘I can’t stop racing - it’s like a drug’

By Matthew Knight, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 3:45 PM EST, Sun February 26, 2017
McLaren launched its new orange-colored MCL32 on February 24.
McLaren launched its new orange-colored MCL32 on February 24.
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The British team, powered by Honda engines, was sixth in last year's constructors' standings.
The British team, powered by Honda engines, was sixth in last year's constructors' standings.
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"This year, we have high hopes that McLaren can come back to where it belongs," Fernando Alonso said during the car's unveiling at McLaren's Technology Center in Woking, England.
"This year, we have high hopes that McLaren can come back to where it belongs," Fernando Alonso said during the car's unveiling at McLaren's Technology Center in Woking, England.
Handout/Getty Images Europe/McLaren F1 via Getty Image
McLaren team boss Eric Boullier hopes the 20-time world champion -- which last won a title in 2008 -- is "about to turn the corner." The Frenchman added: "The chassis is incredibly well realized, the power unit has been significantly developed and we have a hugely exciting driver pairing that's already blending really well."
McLaren team boss Eric Boullier hopes the 20-time world champion -- which last won a title in 2008 -- is "about to turn the corner." The Frenchman added: "The chassis is incredibly well realized, the power unit has been significantly developed and we have a hugely exciting driver pairing that's already blending really well."
CNN
Two-time world champion Alonso will be partnered at McLaren by Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne, who has replaced veteran Jenson Button.
Two-time world champion Alonso will be partnered at McLaren by Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne, who has replaced veteran Jenson Button.
CNN
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas pose with the Mercedes W08 -- the car the dominant German team hopes will fuel further success in Formula One.
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas pose with the Mercedes W08 -- the car the dominant German team hopes will fuel further success in Formula One.
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Mercedes launched its new car at the UK's Silverstone circuit. Both Bottas and Hamilton (pictured) took the W08 for a spin on Thursday.
Mercedes launched its new car at the UK's Silverstone circuit. Both Bottas and Hamilton (pictured) took the W08 for a spin on Thursday.
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Mercedes will be looking to win its fourth successive F1 constructors' championship in 2017.
Mercedes will be looking to win its fourth successive F1 constructors' championship in 2017.
Mark Thompson/GettyImages
Hamilton is joined by Bottas -- the Finn replaces reigning world champion Nico Rosberg, who retired a few days after clinching the 2016 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton is joined by Bottas -- the Finn replaces reigning world champion Nico Rosberg, who retired a few days after clinching the 2016 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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An overhead shot of former Williams driver Bottas in the cockpit of the new car at Silverstone.
An overhead shot of former Williams driver Bottas in the cockpit of the new car at Silverstone.
Mark Thompson/GettyImages
Red Bull is expected to be one of Mercedes' closest rivals this season. Here Daniel Ricciardo drives the new RB13 at winter testing.
Red Bull is expected to be one of Mercedes' closest rivals this season. Here Daniel Ricciardo drives the new RB13 at winter testing.
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Ricciardo finished third overall in last season's driver standings behind Rosberg and Hamilton, with the Australian winning in Malaysia and notching seven other podium placings.
Ricciardo finished third overall in last season's driver standings behind Rosberg and Hamilton, with the Australian winning in Malaysia and notching seven other podium placings.
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Apart from the Mercedes duo and Ricciardo, Max Verstappen was the only other driver to win a race last season, following his promotion to a Red Bull seat from Toro Rosso. The Dutch 19-year-old is expected to be a title contender this year.
Apart from the Mercedes duo and Ricciardo, Max Verstappen was the only other driver to win a race last season, following his promotion to a Red Bull seat from Toro Rosso. The Dutch 19-year-old is expected to be a title contender this year.
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Ferrari unveiled its new SF70-H car on Friday February 24, at its Maranello headquarters in Italy.
Ferrari unveiled its new SF70-H car on Friday February 24, at its Maranello headquarters in Italy.
Handout/Getty Images Europe/Scuderia Ferrari via Getty Image
It is the 63rd single-seater designed and built by Ferrari since the F1 world championship began, and team bosses will hope for an improvement on last year's third-place finish.
It is the 63rd single-seater designed and built by Ferrari since the F1 world championship began, and team bosses will hope for an improvement on last year's third-place finish.
Handout/Getty Images Europe/Scuderia Ferrari via Getty Image
Ferrari's driver lineup will again comprise former world champions Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen -- the Finn being the Prancing Horse's last title winner in 2007.
Ferrari's driver lineup will again comprise former world champions Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen -- the Finn being the Prancing Horse's last title winner in 2007.
Handout/Getty Images Europe/Scuderia Ferrari via Getty Image
The American Haas F1 team launched its new car on the opening day of preseason testing in Barcelona on February 27. French Romain Grosjean is pictured with new Danish teammate Kevin Magnussen (left).
The American Haas F1 team launched its new car on the opening day of preseason testing in Barcelona on February 27. French Romain Grosjean is pictured with new Danish teammate Kevin Magnussen (left).
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Felipe Massa, who came out of a brief retirement after Bottas joined Mercedes, drives Williams' new FW40 on day one of winter testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, Spain.
Felipe Massa, who came out of a brief retirement after Bottas joined Mercedes, drives Williams' new FW40 on day one of winter testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, Spain.
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