Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso is a two-time Formula 1 World Champion and the sport’s most experienced grand prix starter. In 2026 he remains with Aston Martin, 17th in the standings on 7 points at 45.

Early rise and Renault titles

Born in Oviedo in 1981, Alonso arrived in Formula 1 with Minardi in 2001. He returned to racing with Renault in 2003 and took his first grand prix victory that year in Hungary. The titles followed in 2005 and 2006, both seasons yielding seven wins. By the end of 2006 he was a double World Champion at 25.

McLaren, Renault return and Ferrari near-misses

Alonso’s single season at McLaren in 2007 produced four wins and third in the championship, after which he returned to Renault for 2008–2009, adding two more victories in 2008 before a lean 2009. A move to Ferrari for 2010 rekindled a title bid at the first attempt; he led the points into the Abu Dhabi finale but lost out after being trapped in traffic, finishing second on 252 points with five wins. He would end 2012 and 2013 as runner-up as well, adding three wins in 2012 and two in 2013. His last grand prix victory to date came in 2013.

McLaren-Honda struggles and a sabbatical

The return to McLaren in 2015, this time with Honda power, proved bruising. Alonso scored 11 points in 2015 and 54 in 2016, then 17 and 50 in 2017–2018 respectively, amid reliability and performance deficits. He stepped away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018.

Comeback with Alpine and Aston Martin

Alonso returned with Alpine in 2021, scoring 81 points in both 2021 and 2022. A move to Aston Martin for 2023 lifted him to fourth overall with 206 points, a season of regular podium contention even without a win. He finished ninth in 2024 on 70 points and tenth in 2025 with 56. In 2026 he is currently 17th with 7 points and yet to win.

Hallmarks, number and longevity

Alonso races with number 14, a choice he has kept through Formula 1’s permanent driver-number era. His strengths are well understood up and down the pit lane: crisp decision-making in mixed conditions, an ability to read strategy windows while driving at the limit, and mechanical sympathy that preserves tyres without surrendering track position. He has competed at the front across multiple regulation shifts, from refuelling and V10s through to V8s and the V6 hybrid era. He also holds the all-time record for grand prix starts, a benchmark he extended after returning to the grid in 2021.

Context and significance now

Alonso’s career arc is defined by longevity and a second act. Few drivers have left and returned to score as heavily as he did in 2023 with Aston Martin. While he has not added to his win tally since 2013, recent seasons show why teams still value him: points on difficult weekends and relentless pace when the car allows. In 2026, with Aston Martin and car 14, he remains an active figure in the fight for points.

Fernando Alonso is 45 years old, was born in Oviedo, Spain and first entered Formula 1 in 2001. The Spanish driver races for Aston Martin under number 14.