Fernando Alonso may not be in the title race, and it's highly unlikely he'll win the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, but the Spaniard is still making Formula One history. This race marks his 400th appearance, a milestone no other driver has reached. Behind this impressive number lies the story of a captivating career filled with exceptional talent, success, and unfulfilled potential. Now 43, Alonso's 21st season with Aston Martin is a testament to his enduring presence in F1 since his debut with Minardi in 2001. He has 32 wins and two world championships from 2005 and 2006, but despite coming close, he hasn't secured another title since. When asked about his 400th race, Alonso's response highlighted what truly matters to him: “I would love to race half of the 400 and win one more championship, or win more races. That’s the important statistics you want to achieve.”
Alonso knows he should have achieved more, driven by an intense competitive spirit that has both benefited and hindered him. His decision-making in the cockpit is unparalleled, but outside it, he has sometimes fallen short. His first two championships with Renault were secured with remarkable style, defeating Michael Schumacher in the process. More titles seemed inevitable, but Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen have since surpassed him. At his best, Alonso is mesmerizing, a natural force with incredible speed and intuitive racecraft. Across his 400 races, some highlights stand out: holding off Schumacher at Imola in 2005, his win from 11th in Valencia in 2012, and his racing awareness in Fuji in 2008.
Alonso's stint at the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours was a race-winning performance and a reminder of his greatness. When he joined Ferrari in 2010, he almost single-handedly dragged the team into the title fight, coming close but ultimately losing due to strategic errors. His last win was in 2013, and even in his first stint at McLaren in 2007, there were signs of friction. He returned to Renault and then Ferrari, but the relationships soured, and he eventually returned to McLaren, where the promise of a Honda engine failed to materialize. A break to pursue Le Mans and the Indy 500 followed before his return with Alpine and then Aston Martin in 2023.
Alonso's defensive driving against Hamilton in Hungary in 2021 showcased his skill, and when Aston Martin had a competitive car in 2023, he was immediately on form. A series of podiums followed, and despite Aston Martin's development struggles, Alonso remains committed to the team until the end of 2026. If he completes this contract, he will be over 45, the oldest F1 driver since Graham Hill. By then, he will be close to 450 races, a number that doesn't matter to Alonso. “That guy in 2001, I was not really thinking too much in the future, the dream was coming alive, driving F1,” he said. “I didn’t have a clear roadmap into my career. I was improvising, every weekend was a new adventure.”
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