F1 drivers in awe of Alonso’s longevity, unsure of their own

F1 drivers admire the longevity of Fernando Alonso after he signed another F1 deal while already being well into his 40s.

To be 43-years old this July, Alonso signed a new Aston Martin deal which will at least keep him racing in F1 until he is 45-years-old. And he could compete beyond that even if everything works out for him in 2026 and there is a title scope.

Even though he’s had couple of years outside F1, it is still a long time commitment to the sport which is only expanding. He did complain about the growing calendar and the strain on the mental side rather than the physical aspect as such.

He has dedicated all of his life into racing which has harmed his personal life but with this new deal, he has changed his regime to have his family closer to him. But this longevity in the sport is unheard of with several of the current stars not even sure about themselves.

Here’s what F1 drivers think about it and answer if they can extend too –

Lando Norris: “I’d better be careful what I say. I think it takes a lot of dedication. I don’t think anyone thinks Fernando lacks that in any way. I think he shows that with everything that he does in life. Whether it’s at the track or away from the track, you know, in different sports or whatever. So it depends what you want to do. Everyone is different. It’s rare that you see someone commit for so long in any sport, you know, he’s probably one of the oldest guys competing at the top of any sport in the world and I think to be able to do that at the level that he has done and continues to do, you’re probably never going to potentially see it again, you know within Formula 1 and if you do, it’s going be extremely rare. So yeah, I think a lot of lot of respect for that kind of thing. I have no idea if I want to do it in 20 years’ time, if I’m still going strong, but I love where I am now and I continue to do such a thing. Yeah, we’ll see.”

Charles Leclerc: “Yeah, it’s difficult to imagine myself in 15 or 18 years’ time still in Formula 1. However, we can definitely see how motivated Fernando still is and how high of a level he’s still performing at the moment and this is what matters at the end. Age is a number but what he’s showing on track is still at a very, very high level. On my side, I would love to be racing still for many years. However, I’m not so sure whether in Formula 1. I would like to experience other things like Le Mans, that’s definitely a place where I will see myself race one day. But yeah, I mean as long as I am fully motivated then I will race and I love what I do,. so for now that’s what I want to do for the longest time possible.”

Esteban Ocon: “Huge respect for Fernando. Since I’ve been very little I’ve been watching him competing, against Michael and you know, these two guys are the guys that gave me the love for the sport. So, to still be racing with Fernando now it’s very incredible. And just to see the career he has done, he’s won in everything, basically. He’s won in karting, he’s won in Le Mans, in the States in sports cars, everything he’s competed in he has almost won. And that’s more than remarkable. And it’s a dream carrier for any athlete or racing driver. So yeah, I don’t know if I would still be racing at his age. But truly, his dedication is something that is an example for all of us.”

Zhou Guanyu: “Yeah, for myself, I think it’s an incredible journey that Fernando has done. And, of course, it’s a lot easier to say than to do. I would love to be racing in Formula 1 for many more years, that’s for sure. That’s what I’m most passionate about and driving these cars as well. And from my side, of course, back in the day, he was kind of my racing role model that I was looking for and it’s great to be seeing him still performing a very high level. And yeah, just really enjoy it. Hopefully we can sooner battle for some positions on track and having some fun.”

Nico Hulkenberg: “I mean, all of what they said. Obviously, I’m not as far away as these guys. It’s always difficult to predict the future, how long you want to do something. I think a couple more years. Forty? It’s not that crazy far away from me personally. Let’s see.”

Lewis Hamilton: “I’m going to be racing well into my 40s. So it’s no short-term thing. I’m going to be racing for quite some time still, so it’s definitely good that he is still around. I hope that he keeps going for a little bit longer as well. I think it’s a real positive, firstly because it means I’m not the oldest driver here, so that’s the best part, but also Fernando’s one of the best drivers we’ve had in the sport. So for him to continue to be here, to continue to have the output that he’s had, just shows what’s possible. And shows the new era of athlete, what the human body can do and continue to do if you nurture it. I never thought I would be racing into my 40s. I’m pretty sure I said I wouldn’t. But life is such a crazy trip. I don’t feel 40. I generally feel great.”

Mike Krack: “It was a couple of days. I mean what you also do you know like when you when you make these discussions you can always work on the what if. So, that you do not lose time when the decision is there so that is the homework we did and then it was a matter of really a couple of days. For me the most remarkable of the huge qualities that we are discussing is the desire to do well every lap, every day, every minute, whatever he does. This is something that I have never seen with anyone. Not even drivers, but also other human beings.

“You take the qualifying lap in China, one and a half tenths lost. 99% of the drivers would have backed off because this is quali 3, this is where it matters, I will not go faster. He tried in Turn 3, he tried in Turn 6, came back in Turn 6, he got one and a half back, he said, oh, maybe I can do something more. And he pulled it out. He was overtaken by Sergio in Interlagos. A quicker car with better tires, with better DRS at the time. And he was not giving up. And he gained it back. These are things where you see this desire to do well, which others I would have not. And the age is secondary. The desire is just overweighing everything. We have him now. ”

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