Fernando Alonso F1 Career – stands as one of the most successful drivers of the 2000s in Formula 1. The Spaniard made his debut in 2001 with the backmarker team Minardi, impressing enough to secure a move to Renault, then a mid-tier team. From that point onward, the star named Alonso ascended. In 2021, Alonso made his comeback in Formula 1 with Alpine after a two-year sabbatical. In 2023, he will be racing for Aston Martin.
Renault didn’t hesitate to sign Alonso, who made his Formula 1 debut at the age of nineteen in 2001. While he served as a test driver for the French team in 2002, he earned a permanent seat for the 2003 season. This confidence paid off as Alonso won the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, marking the birth of a star.
After a winless 2004, Alonso showcased his strength in 2005 by consistently finishing on the podium in the first five races. He became the leading title contender, with Kimi Räikkönen of McLaren as his primary challenger. It was a back-and-forth battle, but the reliability of Alonso’s Renault proved decisive, and he became the world champion in 2005.
In 2006, Alonso, then the youngest reigning world champion, was again the favorite. He lived up to that status, securing another world championship, this time with Michael Schumacher of Ferrari as his main rival. Despite Schumacher’s strong performance, misfortune dashed his hopes for an eighth world title.
The Interim Years
Alonso signed with McLaren for the 2007 season and faced a rookie teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton proved stronger than anticipated, creating intense competition between the two. Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen capitalized on their rivalry and clinched the world championship. Uninterested in the ongoing rivalry at McLaren, Alonso returned to Renault, now a mid-tier team. From this underdog position, Alonso still managed to win two Grand Prix races in 2008.
Ferrari Era
In 2009, Alonso joined Ferrari, officially racing for them from 2010. In his first year, he contended for the world title and had the best chance to take the trophy home during the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. However, a strategic mistake left him stuck behind Renault’s Vitaly Petrov, and he couldn’t overtake him, allowing Sebastian Vettel to claim the title.
In the following years, Ferrari consistently built a car that was just not fast enough. Despite this, Alonso often extracted the maximum performance from the car, securing several impressive victories. In 2012, he even contended for the championship, but once again, Vettel emerged as the champion in the final race.
Return to McLaren
In 2015, Alonso returned to McLaren, which formed a partnership with Honda. This combination, once unbeatable in the late 1980s, lured Alonso back to the team he left after a disappointing 2007. However, the McLaren-Honda combination turned out to be disastrous. The car was not fast enough, and the engine was unreliable. Alonso struggled for points instead of podiums, frequently retiring from races. After a few years of minimal progress, Alonso decided it was time to exit; 2018 marked his last year in Formula 1.
Surprising F1 Comeback for Alonso
At the end of 2018, it seemed Fernando Alonso would conclude his Formula 1 career. Despite leaving McLaren, the Spaniard made a surprising return to the pinnacle of motorsport. In 2021, Alonso competed for Alpine F1 Team alongside Esteban Ocon. Alonso had already participated in Renault’s activities during the 2020 season and took part in the Young Driver Test at the season’s end.
In 2021, Alonso displayed the form expected of him: impressive defensive maneuvers and excellent pace consistently earned him points in the midfield and even a podium finish in Qatar. This performance, together with Ocon, propelled the French team to fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Alonso Replaces Former Title Rival Vettel at Aston Martin in 2023
Alonso departs from Alpine after the 2022 season. The two-time world champion moves to Aston Martin, replacing Sebastian Vettel, who is retiring. Alpine has found a successor for the Spanish veteran in Pierre Gasly, while Alonso becomes Lance Stroll’s teammate at the Silverstone-based team.
Fernando Alonso F1 Career Fernando Alonso F1 Career
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