Two-time world champion, obsessed with success, a driver of character who never avoids a duel. Fernando Alonso has helped shape Formula 1 for two decades.
This weekend in Mexico, Alonso will be taking part in his 400th Grand Prix at the age of 43. "Of course, titles and race wins are the most important things for us drivers. At the same time, it shows my love for the sport and the discipline I've had to apply at a very high level for more than 20 years," he says.
However, with problems at the start. On Thursday, Alonso was also supposed to talk about his anniversary at the media conference in Mexico City - but he didn't go. He felt uncomfortable. It certainly wasn't excitement, because Alonso has been in the spotlight for completely different reasons in his career. And the Spaniard, who has a soft spot for Japan, including a large samurai tattoo on his back, has not always had good reasons.
The scandal file
After his Formula 1 entry in 2001 with Minardi, he switched to Renault, but initially only as a reserve driver. Alonso became a regular driver in 2003 and was crowned world champion two years later. Michael Schumacher was beaten in the Ferrari in the world championship battle for the first time after five titles. In 2006, Alonso clinched his second world championship triumph and switched to McLaren - the double world champion as a superstar on his way to further successes.
But then he got Lewis Hamilton, then 22 years young, at his side. What began with a great show at the joint presentation in Valencia developed into an intra-team duel that escalated completely, costing both of them the title and paving the way for Kimi Räikkönen in the Ferrari to become the 2007 world champion. It is unforgettable how Alonso remained stationary during a pit stop in Hungary until Hamilton no longer had time for another fast lap in qualifying.
In the same year, the espionage affair surrounding McLaren and illegally obtained Ferrari data shocked Formula 1 - according to media reports, Alonso allegedly threatened to disclose information he had about the matter. He was ultimately heard as a key witness and McLaren was fined a record 100 million dollars.
Alonso left McLaren after just one season and returned to Renault. In 2008, he won the Singapore Grand Prix. However, the premiere of the night race was heavily overshadowed by an accident scandal. Alonso had profited from a crash involving his team-mate at the time, Nelson Piquet Junior, which he had allegedly caused at the behest of the team bosses, including Alonso's manager Flavio Briatore. Even today, Felipe Massa (then Ferrari), who was beaten by Hamilton in the championship fight, is still trying to contest the title decision because of this race.
Alonso's desperate battle against Vettel
Alonso stayed with Renault for another year before switching to Ferrari. It was not enough for another title. The reason had a name: Sebastian Vettel. The German relegated Alonso to second place three times in his four consecutive titles from 2010 onwards, with the Asturian finishing fourth once. Alonso returned to McLaren for the 2015 season. But even then, the next title he had longed for did not materialize. Instead, he snubbed manufacturer Honda in Japan when he defamed the carmaker's engine as a "GP2 engine" on the pit radio in front of a global audience of millions.
After 2018, Alonso retired from Formula 1, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, competed in the Dakar Rally and also took part in the legendary Indy 500 in 2017. He returned to Formula 1 in 2021 and signed up with Renault's successor Alpine, and in 2023 he took over the cockpit from the retired Vettel at Aston Martin. His CV includes 32 Grand Prix victories, 106 podiums and 22 pole positions.
Behind the wheel for 40 years
"It's crazy," said compatriot Carlos Sainz in Mexico, where Alonso will be competing with a special helmet design: "When I was growing up and was nine or ten years old, he was already racing in Formula 1. And now I'm 30 and Alonso is still driving." He has now been behind the wheel for 40 years, said Alonso himself - he started karting at the age of three.
However, he once thought he would end his career in 2009, when he signed a three-year contract with McLaren after winning the 2006 World Championship. "I was 99 percent sure that 2009 would be my last Formula 1 season."
But things turned out differently. He leaves open how long he wants to continue. In particular, the signing of star designer Adrian Newey from March 2025 continues to drive Alonso forward. "It's definitely the team of the future," he says of Aston Martin. It will be interesting to see how long Alonso will be part of this future.
SDA