Alonso’s endurance marks for Formula 1 reach new heights in Baku
Fernando Alonso is set to compete at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, as the sport continues to witness a historic stretch of longevity. The Spaniard is poised to extend his already remarkable career timeline, edging closer to the record held by Michael Schumacher for the longest span between a driver’s first and last Formula 1 race. With a debut date dating back to the 2001 Australian Grand Prix on March 4, Alonso will soon total more than 21 years in F1 competition, a milestone that echoes Schumacher’s own 21-year journey from his Belgian debut in 1991 to his final race in Brazil in 2012. The numbers speak to a career that has spanned multiple eras of the sport and many evolutions in technology and competition.
After taking a two-season break to explore other marquee motorsport endeavors — including the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship, Daytona, and the Dakar Rally — Alonso returns to Formula 1 with renewed focus. His presence in Baku reinforces the idea of distance covered in a single career: it has been more than half a life’s work for the Alpine driver, who remains in pursuit of his third world title. In this return, he carries the weight of years in the sport, as well as the drive to compete at the highest level once again.
Alonso’s most recent victory in Formula 1 came in 2013 at the Spanish Grand Prix, a triumph achieved at Circuit de Barcelona-Còrt when he outpaced Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa. While his most recent podiums have come more recently, including a strong showing in Qatar last season, the arc of his career continues to be characterized by long-term consistency and occasional, memorable peaks that remind fans why he has been a fixture in F1 for so long.
Looking ahead to his 342nd Grand Prix start, Alonso sits second on the all-time list for most races, trailing only Räikkönen’s 350. Should Räikkönen retire as planned in 2021 and Alonso maintain his form, the Spaniard could finish the year with the most races in F1 history. If he continues racing into the next season and beyond, he has a clear path to surpass the 356-race mark that would redefine career longevity in the sport.
Drivers with the longest spans between first and last Formula 1 races
1 Michael Schumacher — 21 years, 3 months; Belgium 1991 to Brazil 2012
2 Fernando Alonso — 21 years, 2 months, 25 days; Australia 2001 to Monaco 2022
3 Kimi Räikkönen — 20 years, 9 months, 8 days; Australia 2001 to Abu Dhabi 2021
4 Rubens Barrichello — 18 years, 8 months, 13 days; South Africa 1993 to Brazil 2011
These figures place Alonso among the most enduring competitors in the history of Formula 1, highlighting a career that has endured through changing teams, regulations, and generations of drivers. The ongoing season in Baku is another chapter in that story, where experience and skill continue to shape performances on one of the sport’s most demanding street circuits. This enduring presence is a reminder that longevity in Formula 1 is not merely about years on the calendar, but about continued adaptation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Attribution: Formula 1 statistics and historical records.