Fernando Alonso: A Formula 1 Legend
Fernando Alonso needs little introduction. After three decades in the sport, the forty-something driver consistently ranks in nearly every top ten list in Formula 1.
Born in Oviedo on July 29, 1981, Alonso began his F1 career in 2001 with the modest Minardi team. His talent quickly caught the eye of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore. The flamboyant Italian gave Alonso a role as a test driver in 2002, but by 2003, he was in the thick of the action. In his first season with the competitive French team, the young driver secured two pole positions. In Hungary, Alonso became the youngest driver ever to win a Grand Prix, a title later taken over by Sebastian Vettel and then Max Verstappen.
Renault’s Golden Years and Move to McLaren
In 2004, Michael Schumacher and Ferrari proved too strong for Alonso and Renault. However, in 2005 and 2006, the Spanish-French duo broke the German’s dominance. Alonso became the youngest world champion ever in 2005 and successfully defended his title the following year. At the end of 2006, he left Renault for a new adventure with McLaren. There, he faced off against rookie Lewis Hamilton, a battle Alonso lost. The relationship between the two drivers was tense, and by the end of 2007, Alonso returned to Renault. However, he couldn’t replicate his previous successes, and his departure was inevitable. In 2010, Alonso joined Ferrari, but a new title eluded him. His best result was finishing second in the championship three times, behind Vettel and Red Bull.
After five seasons with Maranello, Alonso decided to accept a new invitation from McLaren in 2015. Hamilton had since moved to Mercedes, giving Alonso the opportunity to shape the team. However, this did not happen. The partnership between McLaren and engine supplier Honda was unsuccessful, a fact underscored when Alonso referred to the power unit as a “GP2 engine”.
Sabbatical and Return
By the end of 2018, after four seasons in the backfield, Alonso was so frustrated that he announced a sabbatical. The Spaniard wanted to rediscover his love for racing and participated in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans (which he won twice with Toyota), the Indianapolis 500, and the Dakar Rally.
In 2021, Alonso returned to Formula 1, rejoining his old French team, which was no longer called Renault but had been rebranded as Alpine. The goal was to compete for a third world title from 2022 with the introduction of the new generation of F1 cars. However, the team and Alonso parted ways at the end of 2022. Alpine wanted to secure Alonso for only one more year, while the Spaniard sought a long-term commitment. He found a sympathetic ear in Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, who saw him as the ideal replacement for Sebastian Vettel.
