Fernando Alonso is considered one of the best drivers in the history of Formula 1. The fact that he continues to enjoy the confidence to drive a single-seater in the top category of world motor racing at almost 44 years of age (he will turn 44 on July 29) is proof of this. However, in his 20 years as a professional driver, he has only won two world championships. Between poor decisions and bad luck during his sporting career, his record does not reflect the talent of the driver from Oviedo.
From the top to frustration
Fernando Alonso’s career was very promising. After starting out as a test driver at Minardi, his first big break came with Flavio Briatore at Renault, where he won the world championship in 2005 and 2006. It wasn’t just the car; all F1 analysts agreed that we were witnessing a driver who could define an era in motor racing. But from that moment on, the decline began. First he arrived at McLaren, where everything pointed to him becoming world champion again, but Ron Dennis, then head of the team, opted for his rookie driver, a certain Hamilton (of course, the decision is understandable in hindsight), but this created an untenable climate for the Spaniard. In the end, McLaren missed out on the world championship that season due to internal strife.
After a forced return to Renault, with a car far below its glory years, he ended up becoming a Ferrari driver. He came close to winning the world championship twice (in 2010 it looked like it was his), but ended up leaving the team because they realized he couldn’t be world champion.
The worst car of his career, so far
His departure from Ferrari took him back to McLaren, with a different structure to that of previous years. The British team’s gamble with Honda was as promising as it was frustrating. During his four seasons there, he struggled with a car whose power unit was not up to scratch. He had four frustrating seasons with the slowest car, which led him to leave F1 for several years.
But Alonso wanted more and decided to return, for the third time to Renault, where he started his career, this time under the name Alpine. He finished tenth and nineteenth in the Constructors’ Championship, but the team did not seem to have enough confidence in him, and Aston Martin arrived with a promising and ambitious project, and Alonso accepted the challenge.
The AMR25, the worst car
The start at Aston Martin was super, we saw Fernando Alonso back on the podium and fighting with the best in 2023, he managed to get on the podium in eight races that year, and number 33 seemed closer. But the team deflated race after race, season after season, until we got to where we are now, with the AMR25.
The year is one to forget, and what is more worrying is that each race seems to be worse than the last. In the last Miami Grand Prix, Aston Martin finished last. Both cars crossed the finish line in last place, a lap down, and with the feeling of being very far behind the next car. The promises, Lawrence Stroll’s investment, and the resources the team now has are all worthless. Everything seems to be a disaster and things are far from improving.
Aston Martin will be debuting new parts in the next race, but no one believes the team can improve this season. They are far behind and there will be other teams that improve. Hopes are pinned on next season, 2026, but there are no signs of change.