Fernando Alonso remains insatiable in F1. About to turn 44, the driver from Oviedo continues to prove not only that he is in good shape, but also that he is one of the best drivers on the grid and that, if he manages to get a winning car before he retires, he will win another Drivers’ Championship, let there be no doubt about that. In Austria, he gave one of the greatest performances of recent years as a driver, finishing seventh when he should have finished thirteenth or fourteenth. The Oviedo native is capable of achieving the impossible, and yesterday’s performance also earned him a record previously held by Schumacher, which was within reach of only the best.
Fernando Alonso achieves a double milestone before turning 44
Fernando Alonso scored points again in Austria, his third consecutive race, something he had not been able to do since 2023, when he was given an Aston Martin with which he was able to get on the podium eight times, although he did not achieve his long-awaited 33rd victory. However, his tremendous performance in Spielberg saw him beat a legend like Michael Schumacher by adding new points to his tally.
The German driver, who for many remains the best driver in history, scored his last points with Mercedes at the age of 43 years and 326 days. Fernando Alonso had the opportunity to beat him in Austria, although everything indicated that, based on performance, he would not be able to do so. However, the driver’s intelligence in getting the most out of what he had not only allowed him to finish in the points, but also to achieve his best result of the season so far. The Oviedo native managed to overtake Michael Schumacher, becoming the third oldest driver in history to score points in an F1 World Championship, at 43 years and 335 days.
Fernando Alonso goes for Graham Hill
He only has two drivers ahead of him in this historic ranking, one of whom is Phillipe Erancelin, who seems unbeatable, as he scored his last points at the age of 53 in the 1950s (you never know with Fernando Alonso, but it seems unlikely). However, he does have Graham Hill within his sights, who in 1974, at the age of 45 years and 114 days, scored his last points as a professional driver. Fernando Alonso could beat him in the second half of next season, in the final stages of the campaign, which seems quite feasible given Aston Martin’s goals for next season, where it hopes to give the Spanish driver a winning car to take on the F1 World Championship.
Could he be the oldest driver to win a World Championship?
This is another challenge that Fernando Alonso could have in mind, although many things would have to go his way. Juan Manuel Fangio won his last World Championship in 1957 at the age of 46 years, 1 month, and 11 days. For the Oviedo native to surpass him, he would have to be champion in 2027, and his participation in that World Championship is more than uncertain. It seems that the only option to see the Spanish driver racing in 2027 is for him to win the World Championship in 2026 and be allowed to defend his title the following year, or for him to have a great performance next season so that his contract is extended for another year, but that scenario is still a long way off.
For now, Fernando Alonso continues to accumulate records and surpass legendary drivers in the all-time rankings. This weekend, he beat Michael Schumacher by scoring points at an older age than him, and now Graham Hill is in his sights. For Fernando Alonso, this is not a goal, but rather stages he can overcome to achieve what really matters to him: becoming world champion again.