Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are currently the two most experienced drivers in the history of Formula 1. Recently, Hamilton surpassed Kimi Räikkönen, making him second on the list of drivers with the most F1 races. However, Alonso achieved an even greater milestone in Mexico, where he drove his 400th Grand Prix weekend. The question is: can Hamilton break Alonso’s record?
Hamilton Trails Behind
Hamilton has so far driven in 353 Formula 1 races, significantly behind Alonso’s record. The British driver, who will turn 40 this winter, has a contract with Ferrari until the 2025 season. Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur suggested earlier this year that Hamilton’s contract could potentially keep him on the grid until 2027.
Alonso, now 43 years old, has already signed his deal for 2025 and 2026. In 2026, when the new rules and technical regulations come into effect, the Spaniard will drive a car designed by Adrian Newey. This provides him with the opportunity to extend his career by a few more seasons.
A Longstanding Rivalry
The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Alonso originated in Hamilton’s first year in Formula 1. In 2007, after Alonso’s two world titles with Renault, he moved to McLaren, where he joined the same team as Hamilton. That season led to a lot of tension and a fierce battle for the championship. Ultimately, it was Räikkönen who took the championship with just a one-point difference.
Since then, they have regularly competed against each other, both on the track and in the media. Despite their history of rivalry, they have always shown respect for each other’s achievements. In Mexico, Hamilton was one of the drivers who expressed admiration for Alonso’s performance. When asked if Hamilton could break Alonso’s record, the Brit responded, “It depends on how long he continues. I’ll probably stay longer than him.” Alonso made his Formula 1 debut six years earlier than Hamilton. However, the Spaniard missed several seasons, such as in 2002, 2019, and 2020. This provides an opportunity for Hamilton to break Alonso’s record.
