Alonso 'Blown Away' by 20-Year Anniversary of Last F1 Championship
Two decades after his last F1 title, Fernando Alonso is still on the grid, admitting the 20-year anniversary 'blows his mind' as he continues his quest for a third championship with Aston Martin.
Fernando Alonso is entering his 20th season since winning his second and last Formula 1 world championship, a milestone that the two-time champion admits 'blows his mind.' Despite the two-decade gap, the Aston Martin driver insists it doesn't feel that long ago, citing his continued competitiveness and recent successes in and out of F1 as proof that he's still a force at the front of the grid.
Why it matters:
Alonso's enduring presence in F1 is a testament to his unparalleled talent and relentless passion for the sport. His career, marked by both historic triumphs and agonizing near-misses, represents one of modern F1's greatest 'what if' stories. His return to the podium in 2023 proved he remains an elite driver, defying age and a history of difficult machinery to compete with the sport's youngest stars.
The details:
- The Last Title: Alonso clinched his second consecutive championship in 2006, ending Michael Schumacher's era of dominance with Renault and establishing himself as the sport's next great champion.
- A Series of What Ifs: His move to McLaren in 2007 resulted in a title loss by just one point amid internal team politics with Lewis Hamilton. Subsequent stints at Ferrari saw him finish runner-up to Sebastian Vettel three times in four years.
- The Wilderness Years: A second, ill-fated stint with McLaren was followed by a two-year 'sabbatical' from F1, during which he conquered the World Endurance Championship and won the Le Mans 24 Hours for a second time.
- The Resurgence: Since returning with Alpine and now Aston Martin, Alonso has silenced any doubts about his speed. His run of six podiums in the first eight races of 2023 served as a powerful reminder that he remains a top-tier competitor when given the right equipment.
Looking Ahead:
Alonso's mindset is not one of nostalgia but of continued competition. He views his recent successes, like the 2023 podiums and his Le Mans victories, as his most recent 'big satisfactions,' keeping his motivation fresh. While a third world championship remains the ultimate, almost mythical goal, his focus is clear: to perform when the car is capable and add more remarkable chapters to his already legendary career.