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Is Fernando Alonso the Oldest F1 driver ever?

Published 05/21/2023, 5:45 AM EDT

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In the world of Formula 1, records are broken, new stars emerge, and legends are made. One name that has become synonymous with excellence and longevity is the 41-year-old Fernando Alonso. The Spanish racing driver has achieved incredible feats throughout his career, including multiple World Championships and a fierce competitive spirit that has earned him a place among the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

Currently, the oldest driver on the grid, Fernando Alonso, made a stunning comeback to Formula 1 at the age of 39, in 2021, after a two-year hiatus. Despite the long break, Alonso quickly reminded everyone of his immense talent and determination. Now, as Alonso embarks on the latter stages of his career, the question arises: Can he become the oldest race winner in Formula 1 history?

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The current record is held by Louis Chiron. The Monegasque started the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix at the age of 55 years, 292 days. He also holds the record for being the oldest to enter a race weekend at the age of 58 years, 277 days at the 1958 Monaco GP.

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While this may seem like a daunting task, Alonso has already demonstrated his ability to challenge age-related barriers. Alonso currently has a good stint going on at Aston Martin, which is fueled by his hunger to win. How long will he last here and in the sport? Certainly, for quite some more years, as he shows no sign of declining in his abilities to go head-to-head against the young talents.

How Many More Years Is Fernando Alonso Planning to Race in F1?

Fernando Alonso is in the 21st season of his Formula 1 career, having made his debut with Minardi in 2001. Since then, he has held several records and held high spots in many others. Apart from being the oldest of the current lot, he is also the fourth-youngest GP winner in the sport’s history. So, longevity runs through his veins.

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Speaking about his future plans in the sport, Alonso appears to be pretty clear. With not a single sign of backing down after the thunderous comeback, the Spaniard wants to stay at the pinnacle of motorsport for a couple of years to come.

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Having found more success in the late stages of his glorious career, Alonso has been quoted by F1 Briefings as saying, “I want to be two to three years at this level. That is the team’s aim too. We are not at a stage to win a championship, but we want time to reach the target. That is why I came back to Formula 1 in 2021 after a couple of years out.”

via Reuters

“I thought the new regulations coming in last season would mix it up, which they have. Yes, Red Bull are dominating but you don’t see big gaps – all the field is covered by 1.2/1.3 seconds – so maybe in a few years we’ll be right up there.”

So, yes. It’s clear that Fernando Alonso has long-term plans to stay at Aston Martin if the team allows him to. For the fans, it would be a great sight to witness more of his masterclasses on the track.

Can Fernando Alonso be the Oldest Race Winner in F1?

We are all aware of the Aston Martin hype train going around. Como 33 is trending. Everyone’s eager to see Alonso win the 33rd GP of his career at the Monaco GP by qualifying on the pole. A victory would also end his winless drought of over nine years. So, can he be the oldest winner in Formula 1 at the current age of 41?

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The record for being the oldest race winner is held by Italian Luigi Fagioli. Aged 53 years, 22 days, he won at the 1951 French Grand Prix. For Alonso to capture this spot, unprecedented longevity would be expected of him. Now that the sport has gotten ridiculously competitive and physically demanding, it’d be difficult.

And while breaking this record may not seem possible, he can certainly break into the top 10 list. If he does manage to win a race this season, Alonso can capture the seventh spot, pushing Nigel Mansell aside.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Does Fernando Alonso Believe He Can Be a 3-time World Champion?

With the Aston Martin steadily improving and Alonso’s own commitment to pushing the limits, victory is just on the horizon. Alonso’s passion for the sport may be the key to unlocking yet another milestone in Formula 1 history.

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Written by:

Manan Goel

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Manan Goel is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports, who graduated in literature from the University of Delhi before discovering his passion for the world of Formula 1. With over 400 published articles, his writing reflects his in-depth knowledge of the sport and his ability to provide unique insights. Manan's passion for F1 began when he first saw Sebastian Vettel's exhilarating drives with Red Bull.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai