Fernando Alonso and the quest for a 33rd victory of a timeless legend
F1. Back on the front of the stage with his eight podiums in 2023, Fernando Alonso hopes to achieve a new victory in the coming seasons with Aston Martin. This will further enhance his legend that spans generations.
Time seems to have no hold on Fernando Alonso. At 43, the Spaniard is experiencing his 21st season in Formula 1 this year, a record. He has gone through different eras, from the Michael Schumacher's hegemony when he started in 2001 to the current dominance of Max Verstappen.
Proof of his longevity, Fernando Alonso shared the paddock with the father of the Dutchman, Jos, in 2001 and 2003. "I think the younger generation saw me as a bit old, because I'm sure their parents talked about my world championship titles, my victories with Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari, that kind of thing," Alonso analyzes in an interview shared by Aston Martin.
The new development of 2023
After two years of sabbatical in 2019 and 2020, the double world champion made his comeback in 2021 at Alpine. A season marked by his third place at the Qatar Grand Prix, over seven years after his last podium in Hungary (2nd with Ferrari in 2014). Alonso believes he truly attracted a younger generation last year, when he could have been seen by them as a bit old.
Last year was a wake-up call for the younger generation. Suddenly, it was like: "Wow, you know, this Fernando Alonso is still there, still competitive, and I want to support him. What my parents said about him must be true". The Spanish driver helped create a connection between two very different generations of fans. This shared passion, the Spaniard observes it around the circuits, in airports or in the museum dedicated to him in Oviedo.
Alonso's influence
Fernando Alonso is proud of the influence he can have on different generations, especially on the younger ones. Number 14 was often forced to leave his native region when he was young, facing a lack of infrastructure in Asturias. In addition to the various single-seaters or helmets that have marked his career, exhibited in the different rooms of the museum, the latter includes a karting track where the youngest can train.
Read also: Inside at the Fernando Alonso Museum in Oviedo
Today, it is very rewarding for me to see the children using and enjoying the go-kart track that I built in Asturias, testifies Alonso. « Motorsport has given me a lot and I am happy to be able to give it back to the fans and future generations. I hope they will fall in love with this sport as much as I did.
A 33rd victory to come?
Fernando Alonso has a contract that takes him until the 2026 season with Aston Martin. The British team is raising its ambitions for the coming years with brand new facilities and the recruitment of Adrian Newey. The Spaniard wants to take his time and wait for the entry into the new era of F1 in 2026 to see how many more years of driving he can still spend in the discipline. A decision that will be made in consultation with the new technical director of Silverstone and the team owner, Lawrence Stroll.
Alonso doesn't hide it, the goal is to secure a 33rd victory in his career, while the last one dates back to 2013 during the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. « We are doing everything we can in the team to make it a reality. It would be very special if we achieve it. It would be special for me, special for Aston Martin Aramco, and special to reward all those who have supported me throughout my career. »
During the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, the Spaniard became the youngest winner in a race at just 22 years old (Verstappen, Vettel, and Leclerc have since improved on this record). Alonso could potentially enter the Top 5 of oldest Grand Prix winners in 2026 if his dream comes true. However, he would need to continue racing for several more years to beat Luigi Fagioli's record and his victory at the 1951 French GP at the age of 53.
Find here: The news on Fernando Alonso