Fernando Alonso has celebrated another birthday, turning 44, and he remains motivated and eager to continue making history in F1. But contrary to what many may think, he is not one of the oldest drivers in history to get behind the wheel in the Grand Prix, although he may well be in the modern era of F1. The truth is that this weekend he will join the club of drivers over 44 years old to compete in the top level of motor racing, which now includes 54 other drivers.
Fernando Alonso breaks a barrier
As we said, it is not new to have such older drivers in F1, but it is in recent times. The last time this happened was 52 years ago, no less, and it was Graham Hill at the Spanish Grand Prix, who finally retired a few days before turning 46, an age that Fernando Alonso will only be able to surpass if he finally renews until 2027, something complicated at this point, but who knows.
What’s more, there are many similarities between the two drivers, as both know what it’s like to win in various competitions, although Fernando Alonso has yet to win the Indy 500, which has eluded him in previous years.
The challenge of winning races at 44
Fernando Alonso has not stood on the top step of the podium since 2013, but he remains confident that he can achieve a victory before his retirement, especially after 2026, when new cards will come into play with the new regulations with which Aston Martin aims to become one of the leading teams in F1.
And this club of winners at such an advanced age is much smaller. In fact, if he manages to win in 2025, which is unlikely, or in 2026, he will join the select group of four drivers who have won at over 44 years of age. If he does so, he will surpass Jack Barbham, who won the 1970 South African Grand Prix at 43 years and 339 days, and ahead of him, only four drivers ahead of him: Piero Taruffi, who won at 45 years and 219 days old; Juan Manuel Fangio, who won at 46 years and 41 days old; Nino Farina, who achieved his last victory at 46 years and 276 days old; and Luigi Fagioli, the oldest driver to ever win, at 53 years and 22 days old.
The challenge of winning a World Championship
Winning a World Championship over the age of 40 is an achievement that only three drivers have ever accomplished in the history of motor racing, but winning it over the age of 44 has only been achieved by one, Juan Manuel Fangio, who did so in 1957 at the age of 46 years and 41 days. If Fernando Alonso manages to win the World Championship in 2026, he will become the second oldest driver to do so, surpassing Jack Brabham, who was 40 years, 5 months, and 2 days old when he won the 1966 championship, and Giuseppe Farina, who won it in 1950 at 43 years, 10 months, and 6 days.
For Fernando Alonso to become the oldest driver to win an F1 World Championship, he would have to win it in 2027, and his presence that season is far from confirmed. For now, he has a contract until 2026, and after that date, he will have to assess the situation, both personally and for the team.
Fernando Alonso continues to make history in F1, but he wants to be the undisputed star of the sport, and to do so he must complete several feats that will be difficult to achieve. However, knowing the Asturian’s mentality, there is no doubt that he has them in mind and that he will fight for them.