Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion and one of Formula 1’s most iconic drivers, is taking time to reflect on his remarkable career spanning over two decades. Having made his debut in 2001 with Minardi, Alonso has gone on to secure two world titles and continues to race at the pinnacle of motorsport with Aston Martin, even at the age of 43.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, Alonso’s skills and longevity have been key factors in his sustained success. His ability to deliver standout performances has cemented his reputation, even as he faces a challenging season with Aston Martin, having scored only 62 points so far in 2024.
Alonso recently expressed his pride in being an inspiration to multiple generations of fans, a rare feat in any sport. Reflecting on his enduring career, he shared how special it feels to connect with different generations of supporters, whether at airports, on the streets, or at his museum.
“I see them in the airports, on the streets, at the track, at my museum. It’s very difficult in any sport to find an athlete who has this connection with two very different generations of fans. It’s a wonderful story to be able to bring things full circle,” Alonso said.
As Alonso looks ahead, his focus is firmly on finishing his career on a high with Aston Martin. The Spaniard is under contract with the team until the end of 2026 and is optimistic about their future developments. One key improvement Alonso is eagerly awaiting is the inauguration of Aston Martin’s new state-of-the-art wind tunnel, set to open in December.
Wind tunnels are critical in optimizing a car’s aerodynamic performance, and Alonso believes the new facility will be a “game-changer” for the team. Until now, Aston Martin has relied on Mercedes’ wind tunnel, with limited access and time constraints, which has impacted their ability to develop consistently.
“We cannot predict the future, but I think we have quite good things coming in the next few months, especially the wind tunnel. I would say that is a gamechanger for us. We are using now Mercedes’ wind tunnel and obviously limited on time, limited when in the week they allowed us to go there,” Alonso remarked.
Aston Martin’s AMR24 has faced a tough season compared to the more successful AMR23 of the previous year. However, Alonso remains hopeful that with the new wind tunnel and a focused development plan, the team can return to a more competitive position for 2025 and beyond.
As Alonso approaches the twilight of his career, his influence on Formula 1 remains undeniable. Both his legacy and Aston Martin’s progress will be key storylines as the team strives to provide their veteran driver with a car capable of delivering a fitting end to his illustrious career.
