Fernando Alonso Propels Aston Martin to Top of F1 Experience Rankings

Aston Martin will field the most experienced driver line-up on the 2026 F1 grid, a distinction driven by Fernando Alonso's record-breaking career. The team's combined 614 Grand Prix starts put them comfortably ahead of Ferrari and the new Cadillac entry, highlighting a strategic focus on veteran leadership as the sport prepares for a new regulations era.

Why it matters:

In a season with massive technical overhauls, driver experience is more valuable than ever. Veterans like Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Valtteri Bottas can provide crucial feedback to accelerate car development, manage race strategy, and steer their teams through the unpredictable early stages of a new regulatory period. This accumulated knowledge could be a decisive factor in establishing the early 2026 pecking order.

By the numbers:

Here’s how the teams stack up based on their drivers' combined Grand Prix starts, revealing a clear split between those prioritizing experience and those investing in youth.

• Aston Martin: 614 combined starts - Led by Fernando Alonso, the most experienced driver in F1 history with 425 starts, alongside Lance Stroll.
• Ferrari: 551 combined starts - A formidable pairing of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton (380 starts) and Charles Leclerc (171 starts).
• Cadillac: 527 combined starts - The new entrant is banking on experience with Valtteri Bottas (246 starts) and Sergio Pérez (281 starts).
• The other end of the scale: Racing Bulls sit at the bottom with just 35 combined starts, relying on sophomore Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad. Meanwhile, Red Bull's experience drops to 256 after swapping Yuki Tsunoda for Isack Hadjar.

What's next:

The 2026 season will be a major test of whether this accumulated experience translates into a competitive advantage. While teams like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Cadillac have opted for proven talent, others like Racing Bulls are investing in youth for long-term potential. The ultimate question is whether veteran savvy or youthful ambition will prove more effective when the new generation of cars hits the track.