Fernando Alonso: The Versatile Racer of Modern Motorsport
Spain is a country which is best known for its historic football clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia. It is also known for its tennis history and tradition. But the country did not have much history in relation on to Formula One (F1). Six tracks in Spain have hosted a F1 race since its inception in 1950. A total of 15 drivers from Spain raced in F1, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz are the only two drivers from Spain to win a race. Alonso is the only man to win a World Drivers Champion.
In this article, I am going to focus on the career of Fernando Alonso, the rivalries, his milestones and how he has inspired the whole generation of young man, who aspire to race in F1 be a race winner, win world championships.
Alonso was born in Oviedo, Asturias on 29th August 1981. His father was an amateur kart racer and a mine shaft factory mechanic. His mother Ana Diaz, departmental store employee. His sister, Lorena is a doctor. He started karting at the age of three. He won his first kart race aged 7. He won the national karting championships, before winning the World Karting Championships in 1996.
Early Career
Alonso made the transition to single seater cars in 1999 Euro Open by Nissan. He won the title by defeating Manuel Gaio, winning six races and claiming nine pole positions. The new millennium saw Alonso reach Formula 3000 with Team Astro Mega. He finished 4th with 17 points.
F1 debut, reserve driver role and debut in Renault
Alonso got his F1 debut with the Minardi Team in 2001 season during the Australian Grand Prix. He teamed up with Tarso Marques. In his debut race, he qualified 19th and finished 12th. The car was uncompetitive, he finished only 10 races out of the 17 during the season. The best result of the debut season was a 10th place in Hockenheim, Germany. In 2002, he moved to Renault team as a reserve driver. In 2003, he moved to a race seat after Jenson Button departed for the BAR Honda. In Malaysia, he scored a pole position and got a 3rd place finish. In Hungary, he won his first race breaking the record for the youngest race winner since Bruce McLaren. He finished the year in 6th place. The performance of the Renault car improved which was highlighted by the performance of the season opener in Australia. The season highlight for Alonso was a 2nd place finish in Magny Cours in France. He finished the year in 4th place.
Battle with Schumacher, Hamilton and World Championship run
Alonso started the 2005 season in Australia with a 3rd place finish. He absolutely dominated throughout the season. Alonso won seven races during that season. Alonso beat Kimi Raikkonen to clinch the World Driver’s Championship. His consistent performances also helped Renault in winning the World’s Constructors Championships in their history. Alonso ended the dominance of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari which lasted from 2000 to 2004. In the next season, Alonso and Renault won their second world titles in a row. Alonso managed to win 7 race wins and achieve 14 podiums during the season. In the final race in Interlagos, Schumacher finished 4th after starting 10th. Alonso became a two time world champion at the age of 25.
Alonso made the switch from the Renault to McLaren in 2007, partnered by a rookie named Lewis Hamilton. Both Alonso and Hamilton traded wins, followed by the Ferrari pairing of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. He prevented Hamilton from setting a lap in Hungary which gave him the pole position. Alonso was demoted to 6th and started the race from there. He won four races during the year and was in contention of retaining his title. He finished the season finale in 3rd place, finished 1 point behind the world champion Kimi Raikkonen. Alonso re-joined the Renault team for the next two seasons. Alonso won only two races during the next two seasons, but would consistently finish in the points during the races.
Move to Ferrari and runner up to Sebastian Vettel
Alonso moved to Ferrari to start the new decade in F1. He won the season opening round in Bahrain. Alonso battled Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, and Sebastian Vettel over of the course of the season. He won five races during the season and was leading 8 points entering the season finale. Vettel won the race and Alonso finished in 7th place in the race. Alonso finished in 2nd place, four points off Vettel. In 2011, Ferrari had a car which was unable to contest the McLaren and Red Bull. He won the British Grand Prix and would consistently score points during races. He finished in 4th place scoring 257 points. Ferrari’s car improved in 2012, which gave Alonso a chance to win his 3rd World Driver’s Championship. He won three races during the season. He would also finish regularly on the podium. He would lead Vettel by 40 points, but he entered 13 points behind Vettel before the season finale in Brazil. Alonso finished in 2nd place in the championship, three points behind Vettel.
Alonso would continue his quest to bring title glory to himself and Ferrari. Alonso would won two races during the season, combined with podium on a consistent basis. Ferrari were much slower than Mercedes and Red Bull. Alonso finished the season in 2nd place, behind Vettel. It was the 3rd season in which Alonso came 2nd to Vettel. In 2014, the sport underwent changes with the introduction of hybrid turbo charged V6 engine. Alonso finished the season in 6th place with 164 points. This was the last season in which he claimed a podium until the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
Return to McLaren and first retirement
Alonso moved from Ferrari to McLaren- Honda in 2015 where he partnered Jenson Button. But the car was uncompetitive, which resulted in him finishing in 17th place with 11 points. Alonso finished in 10th place with 54 points in 2016. McLaren’s car continued to be uncompetitive and Alonso retired at the end of 2018 season.
Endurance Racing Champion and Indy 500 racing
Alonso participated in the 2017 Indy 500 race with Arrow McLaren. He led the race for 27 laps before retiring due to a mechanical issue. He competed in Indy 500 in 2020, where he finished 21st. He won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019. He won the 2018 World Endurance Championships with Toyota. He is one of the few races to win the Monaco GP and the 24 hours of Le Mans. He needs just to win the Indy 500 to complete the ‘Triple Crown’ in the world of motorsport.
Return to Formula One
Alonso made a return to F1 with his former team Renault, now remained Alpine, partnering Esteban Ocon in 2021. He would finish regularly finish in the Top 10, scoring points. His season highlight was the 3rd place in Qatar. It was his first podium since 2014. He finished the season in 10th place with 81 points. Alonso remained in 2022, but he was hampered by reliability issues. He finished the season in 9th place with 81 points. Alonso left the team to join Aston Martin F1 team in 2023 replacing the departing Sebastian Vettel.
Alonso is currently racing in F1 in 2023 partnering Lance Stroll in Aston Martin. He finished four out of the five races in the 3rd place. His arrival has revived the Aston Martin, which finished 7th last year, but now is in 2nd place behind Red Bull Racing.
Fernando Alonso- A versatile motorsport racer
Fernando Alonso is one of the greatest drivers to hold a steering wheel. He competed in an era which had legends like Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. He is the first person to beat Michael Schumacher in his prime. He is one of the very few drivers to have raced in the V6, V8, V10 and hybrid V6 turbo charged engine era. He often was able to get the best out of the car which was pretty evident in his title fight against Sebastian Vettel in 2010 and 2012. He had tremendous pace over one lap, which is a testament to Alonso’s talent. He also had some amazing race starts throughout his career. He is one of the few drivers who would express his displeasure in case anything does not go correct, which makes him an interesting driver to watch during a F1 race. His versatility is often demonstrated by his victories in the 24 hours of Le Mans and impressive performances in the Indy 500. He was very close to becoming a five time world champion. He is still very competitive and racing at a very high level against the likes of Max Verstappen, George Russell, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Alonso’s desire to win and stay competitive has enabled him to have a career spanning two decades. This season he has already become the 6th driver to achieve 100 podiums in F1 history. I hope he claims at least one more victory before hanging up his racing gloves and suit. His position in the motorsport hall of fame is already assured. The Alonso story is even more inspiring because he came from a country with no tradition in Formula One such as Spain before his arrival. He was able to go toe to toe with Michael Schumacher in his signature Scuderia Ferrari and defeat him in consecutive years makes the Alonso story even more special. His story is an example that you can reach the top by the virtue of consistency, dedication, hard work and practice.
Written by — Madhurya Saikia