Button jokes about Alonso's future, suggests fatherhood could extend his F1 legacy

Jenson Button has playfully suggested that Fernando Alonso's legendary Formula 1 career could be extended by a new generation, joking that becoming a father might inspire the Spaniard to continue his journey in motorsport through his children. The 2009 world champion expressed awe at Alonso's longevity and competitiveness as he approaches 44 years of age.

Why it matters:

Alonso's sustained performance at an age when most drivers have long retired challenges conventional wisdom about athletic prime in F1. His continued presence not only extends his own remarkable records but also sets new benchmarks for what's possible in the sport, influencing how teams and fans perceive driver longevity and career trajectories.

The details:

• Button, who retired from racing at 46 after last month's WEC finale, admitted mixed feelings about Alonso's continued career, saying: "It does, but I also think: 'Fernando! Come on, mate.'"
• The Briton then offered a humorous alternative path: "I'd like to see him with a bunch of little Fernandos running around and then maybe they want to go karting and then he can continue the journey."
• Button emphasized the emotional reward of parenthood in racing, noting that seeing his own children take up karting "would be probably more than winning a world championship."
• Alonso has contested 425 Grands Prix since his 2001 debut (excluding his 2019-2020 sabbatical), extending his record as the driver with the most starts in F1 history.
• Despite Aston Martin's inability to provide a consistent title-contending car beyond the early 2023 season, Alonso has comfortably outperformed his teammate and remains guaranteed at least 24 more races in what could be his final F1 campaign.

The big picture:

Alonso's career represents one of the most enduring narratives in modern Formula 1. His ability to maintain competitive performance into his mid-40s raises questions about how long elite drivers can realistically compete at the highest level and what factors—beyond pure speed—contribute to such longevity. As younger drivers enter the sport, Alonso's example demonstrates that experience and racecraft can sometimes compensate for the physical advantages of youth.

What's next:

With at least one more season confirmed at Aston Martin, Alonso continues to defy expectations about driver age limits. Whether this truly proves to be his final campaign or he finds renewed motivation—perhaps even through the family path Button humorously suggested—remains one of the intriguing subplots of the 2025 season. His performance will continue to be measured against both his younger teammate and his own legendary standards.