Fernando Alonso did not expect to be racing at 40 years old
This Friday, the two-time world champion celebrates his 40th birthday. While he has become the second active forty-year-old, the Spaniard declared that he does not feel his age.
The two-time Formula 1 world champion, Fernando Alonso, is celebrating his 40th birthday this Friday. He has become the second forty-year-old on the starting grid, alongside another F1 veteran, Kimi Räikkönen.
As one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, the Spaniard acknowledges that he did not expect to still be present on the starting grid at 40 years old.
« No, probably not. You only live in the present moment, you don’t think too much about the future at this age, and you’re just focused on the race weekend. You have trouble projecting yourself into the future, more than two or three years. But now, it’s different. I am more used to the discipline, to Formula 1, and to all the things that are unique here. »
When I arrived in this sport, I came from a very small town in the north of Spain, with no experience, no luggage, nothing, and then you arrive in this world and you are amazed for five, six, seven years, until you get used to everything. Now, it’s a little different. You know how things are, and you enjoy a little more,” he said at a press conference.
The Spanish driver also revealed that his team (Alpine) had prepared a little surprise for him on his birthday. The double world champion said that his room and the dining area in the motorhome were decorated.
« I feel good, I don’t feel my 40 years, that’s for sure. It’s the number that surprises me too, when I see it everywhere in the motorhome because the team prepared a very nice decoration in my room and in the dining area as well. It’s a more significant number than what I feel. But yes, that’s how it is.
This weekend, Fernando Alonso will take part in his 326th Grand Prix (out of 323 starts), on the grounds of his first Formula 1 victory 18 years ago.
