When Fernando Alonso asked for $30 million salary and got sacked

2-time world champion Fernando Alonso announced his retirement from the sport after his second stint with the McLaren F1 team in the mid-2010s did not go as he had expected.

While retiring, the Spaniard had stated that lack of on-track racing, predictable results, talks about polemics and radio messages have harmed the series.

However, the Business F1 magazine has revealed that there was way more to Alonso leaving the sport than just his sudden lack of interest in F1.

As per Business F1 the Spaniard was shoved out of the Woking-based team after he had asked for a hike in his salary.

So read: $15 million Fernando Alonso hiring was hidden from Aston Martin boss, claims F1 journalist

How much did Fernando Alonso ask for?

McLaren F1 team was suffering the biggest loss in its history in 2018 after taking a hit of about $90 million.

When the talks of contract renwal began with McLaren during those tough days, Alonso asked for an undesirable salary of $30 million.

Business F1 said in its report that the Spaniard had settled for a more modest salary, he would have continued with the team. Unfortunately, he misread the situation and was eventually forced to leave as Zak Brown realized that Alonso was not the man to lead McLaren’s renaissance.

Reasons why Fernando Alonso is imo one of the best drivers:

3. Despite having a bad car in 2018 with McLaren, he fought at every race like it goes for the championship. In Baku he had a puncture in Lap 1, saved his car and still drove in the points with the broken car. #F1 pic.twitter.com/HJlz3SLZhe

— Thatch

(@19_ed_Thatch97) February 2, 2021

Why did McLaren F1 team suffer loss in 2018?

The McLaren Group Limited, the parent company announced an increase in turnover of about $450 million in 2018 but the company still suffered an overall operating deficit of almost $6 million.

The 2018 results showed that the F1 team had suffered a plunge in income from $250 million in 2017 to $160 million as the actual costs of racing increased during the period.

Racefans.net explained that there were three major factors of this massive loss. First, the team suffered a huge loss in commercial income after its contract with Honda engine supply came to ann end.

Second, the team suffered a loss of free engines after they were replaced by Renault units on a customer supply arrangement.

Third, the team saw about $12 million drop in its share of F1’s revenue after it finished the 2017 season at P9 in the constructors’ championship.

So read: 5 drivers who had as worse luck as Fernando Alonso in 2022 season