Two more years to shatter records: Fernando Alonso's options to surpass Brabham, Prost or Hill

The four years outside the World Cup were very long in China, although they passed like a flash for Fernando Alonso. The last time he had set foot on the Shanghai International Circuit, in November 2018, the Spaniard was still competing in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota. Now, at 42 years old, he has just signed a new contract with Aston Martin until 2026. Far from being dominated by nostalgia, Fernando looks forward with renewed ambitions. If nothing goes wrong, during the next Qatar GP he will become the first driver with 400 races in Formula 1. And that will only be a first step.

Alonso, the only one on the current grid who competed in the inaugural race in Shanghai two decades ago, keeps his passion intact. That is why he has decided to renew his bond with the Silverstone team. And that is why he has committed himself 100% to a job that takes him away from his family. Nobody in the paddock doubts his talent, nor his ability to sacrifice to remain among the elite at such an advanced age. In fact, just two weeks ago he himself admitted that the Japanese GP had been one of the five best performances of his life. Now he just needs the AMR-24 to take a step forward to fight Red Bull and Ferrari.

Because a victory would make Alonso the oldest driver to win since Jack Brabham in the 1970 South African GP. And a podium would allow him to surpass Alain Prost as the fourth with the most top-3 of all time. In any case, its historical relevance transcends that short term. If nothing goes wrong, when the 2026 World Cup ends, he will have participated in 452 grand prix. That is, 38.5% of the races since the start of Formula 1, back in 1950. In this way he will surpass Rubens Barrichello, who after his goodbye in 2011 had participated in 37.6%. Also to Michael Schumacher, who accumulated 34.9% after his farewell at Interlagos in 2012.

Unseat Hill

Although no figure is as appropriate to establish analogies with Alonso as Graham Hill. Not only because the former Lotus driver became world champion twice, but because even today he remains the sole owner of the Triple Crown, the award that distinguishes the winner of the Monaco GP, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 500 Miles. from Indianapolis. An old desire for Alonso, who only needs one victory at the legendary Brickyard oval, after three frustrated attempts. While waiting for a new opportunity, the Asturian will be able to snatch another honor from Hill in 2026. Because since the 1975 Brazilian GP, the Briton’s last, no one has sat in an F1 at the age of 45.

Throughout this last half century, only Vittorio Brambilla, Mario Andretti, Jacques Laffite, Rene Arnoux, Philippe Alliot, Nigel Mansell, Pedro de la Rosa, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Alonso himself participated in a grand prix once they had passed the 40s. The next to join that club, starting in 2025, will be Lewis Hamilton, already dressed as Ferrari. Old rivals at McLaren, both have benefited from the current situation in F1, where experience is too precious a commodity.

The wind tunnel

Suffice it to mention that this World Cup has been the first in which there was not a single change compared to the previous year’s grid. Although the calendar is exhausting and the cars are still physically demanding, the truth is that Alonso or Hamilton do not need to push them to the limit during all the laps, due to the high degradation of the tires. Furthermore, experience multiplies its value in a championship with hardly any preseason and with strong cuts in the duration of training. Given this panorama, the leading teams are suspicious of young blood.

For now, the priority objective for Alonso is to take advantage of Aston Martin’s resources. Not only in terms of its human capital, with Dan Fallows, Eric Blandin and the recent signing of Andor Hegedus, but also thanks to the data coming from the factory. At Silverstone, the days are already being counted for the launch of its wind tunnel, scheduled for December. And the final bet will remain until 2026, when the new regulations come into force and the car uses Honda engines. Shortly before announcing his retirement, Alonso will become the fourth oldest active champion, only behind Giuseppe Farina (48 years), Juan Manuel Fangio (47) and Hill (45 and 11 months).