Record man Alonso before 400th Grand Prix

The Spaniard has been shaping the premier class of motorsport for two decades. Since his debut 23 years ago, he has delivered many thrilling races, but also scandals and controversies. In 2005, he ended Michael Schumacher's Ferrari title era in the Renault and was crowned world champion the following year.

He has not revealed how long Alonso intends to continue. Above all, the commitment of star designer Adrian Newey from March 2025 is driving him on: "It is definitely the team of the future," he said of his current racing team Aston Martin. The competition is amazed at the long-running success. "It's crazy. When I was growing up and was nine or ten years old, he was already driving in Formula 1. And now I'm turning 30 and Alonso is still driving," said fellow countryman Carlos Sainz in Mexico, where Alonso will compete with a special helmet design.

Alonso's CV includes 32 Grand Prix victories, as well as 106 podium finishes and 22 pole positions. "Of course, titles and race victories are the most important thing for us drivers. At the same time, it shows my love for the sport and the discipline that I have had to demonstrate at a very high level for more than 20 years," he said in the run-up to his anniversary. However, there was no opportunity to chat in detail about the next milestone on Thursday in Mexico City. The veteran driver felt unwell and skipped the appointment.

The Spaniard is not having an easy season with Aston Martin. © APA / MARK THOMPSON

Alonso has been in the spotlight for a variety of reasons in his career. And they weren't always pleasant. After entering Formula 1 in 2001 with Minardi, he moved to Renault, initially as a reserve driver. In 2003, Alonso was promoted to regular driver, and two years later he was crowned world champion. Schumacher was beaten for the first time after five titles. After his second world championship triumph, Alonso moved to McLaren.

rivalry with Hamilton But then he was paired with Lewis Hamilton, then 22 years old. What began as a big show at their joint presentation in Valencia developed into a duel between the teams that escalated, costing both of them the title and paving the way for Kimi Räikkönen in the Ferrari to become world champion in 2007. It is unforgettable how Alonso remained standing during a pit stop in Hungary until Hamilton no longer had time for another fast lap in qualifying.

In the same year, the espionage scandal involving McLaren and illegally obtained Ferrari data shocked Formula 1 – according to media reports, Alonso allegedly threatened to make information he had about the matter public. Ultimately, he was heard as a key witness and McLaren was fined a record $100 million.

Alonso left McLaren after one season and returned to Renault. In 2008 he won the Singapore Grand Prix. The premiere of the night race was, however, heavily overshadowed by an accident scandal. Alonso had benefited from a crash by his then teammate Nelson Piquet Junior, which he was alleged to have caused at the behest of the team bosses, including Alonso's manager Flavio Briatore. Felipe Massa (then Ferrari), who was beaten by Hamilton in the World Championship battle, is still trying to contest the title decision because of this race.

A journey through the paddock Alonso stayed at Renault for another year before moving to Ferrari. He was not able to win another title. The reason was Sebastian Vettel. In his four consecutive titles from 2010 onwards, the German relegated Alonso to second place three times, and the Asturian finished fourth in the World Championship once. Alonso returned to McLaren for the 2015 season. But the longed-for next title did not come. Instead, he snubbed manufacturer Honda in Japan when he defamed the carmaker's engine as a "GP2 engine" in front of millions of people around the world over the pit radio.

After 2018, Alonso retired from Formula 1, he won the 24 Hours of LeMans twice, he took part in the Dakar Rally, and in 2017 he also competed in the legendary Indy 500. In 2021 he returned to Formula 1 and joined Renault's successor Alpine, and in 2023 he took over the cockpit of the retired Vettel at Aston Martin.

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Record man Alonso before 400th Grand Prix

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will tackle his 43th Formula 400 Grand Prix on Sunday at the age of 1.

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