Fernando Alonso’s 400th Formula 1 race was one for the record books—but not in the way the two-time world champion might have hoped. In a frustrating repeat of past milestone races, the Spaniard’s Mexico City Grand Prix ended prematurely, with Alonso forced to retire his Aston Martin AMR24 due to overheated brakes caused by debris lodged in the brake ducts.
Despite the early exit, Alonso was celebrated throughout the weekend by fans, rivals, and the sport for his remarkable career longevity. Reflecting on the race, Alonso noted a promising start before the issues arose. “It was okay, the start was good,” he said. “We capitalized on a lot of action in front of us, but apparently there was debris on the front brake ducts, and the temperatures were over the moon.”
Alonso and the Aston Martin team attempted various in-car adjustments, moving the brake balance rearward to try and cool the overheating brakes. Unfortunately, their efforts couldn’t bring temperatures down, and Alonso had to retire the car. “A bit unlucky today,” he added.
When asked if this DNF stung more due to the milestone, Alonso responded with his characteristic resilience: “It hurts always the same when you don’t see the chequered flag. It doesn’t matter which number.”
With the 2024 season winding down, Alonso remains optimistic, eyeing a stronger return in upcoming races and next year’s Mexico City Grand Prix. While his 400th race may not have gone to plan, Alonso’s passion and commitment continue to fuel his legendary F1 career, with fans hopeful that his 401st outing will bring better fortune.
