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Ah, Fernando Alonso, what a fascinating character in the world of Formula 1! Born on July 29, 1981, in Oviedo, Spain, he never really seemed destined to be a driver like the others. His age reveals how much he persists with passion and determination, defying the standards of motorsport.
Over the years, his career has had incredible highs, but also more complex moments. His fortune speaks for itself, just that, with his successes on track and lucrative contracts, but what impresses me is this intact energy despite the weight of passing time.
One might think that going back to his height as a driver doesn’t matter, but precisely in his case, it shows how much he has overcome certain physical challenges to stay competitive. And then he started very young, which is another key point in his trajectory.
In short, Alonso is a rare mix of raw talent, experience, and iron will. The rest will tell you why he remains an essential figure when talking about F1 today, especially in 2026.
Who is Fernando Alonso and where exactly does he come from?
I find that understanding where he comes from immediately gives a different level of respect. Fernando Alonso grew up in Oviedo, a city in the northwest of Spain, not really a Formula 1 powerhouse at his birth. Yet, very young, he started karting, capturing attention with his natural talent.
He has always shown this clear-headedness, where you feel nothing scares him, even at the young age we mentioned. His journey is far from classic, because to clinch his first victory, at only 21 in Hungary, he had to hold on like crazy.
Speaking of his public identity, Alonso is this cool guy, sometimes a bit stern on the track, but terribly human off it. If he often makes news, it’s more for his driving than for dramas, and frankly, that’s a refreshing change from many others in this field.
His age, 44 years today, still surprises when we see him race. That’s the whole magic: a man who does not let the clock dictate his dreams or performances.
The start: a youth full of dreams and challenges
Before becoming a giant of F1, Fernando, when he was young, hustled hard in karting, a world he knows like the back of his hand. Already, you could tell he wasn’t the type to give up easily.
It’s funny to see how much his early races seemed to announce an extraordinary career, even if he was far from winning right away. He had troubles, complicated season finishes, but always that small spark of genius. In short, the big revelation before the loaded fame.
His age still quite fresh at his beginnings contrasted with the maturity you saw on the track. A young driver with the head of a veteran, it was pretty crazy.
This initial path is often little told, yet it lays the foundations of a driver who would mark history.
A career that never stopped rising: victories, records, and breathtaking duels
Now hang on, because his career is a true novel. 378 Grands Prix, 32 wins, 106 podiums, and two world championship titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault. Yes, he was the first Spanish driver to reach this level, a feat that shocked everyone at the time.
What I especially admire is that he is also the first driver to pass 100,000 km in races, a longevity that even the greatest struggle to match.
He drove for giants like Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Alpine, then Aston Martin. This last change, in 2023, saw him replace Sebastian Vettel. It earned him an honorable salary, far from Hamilton’s 35 million or Verstappen’s 55 million, but money is not what guides his choices.
His driving style, both aggressive and strategic, has thrilled the paddocks and us, fans, with unforgettable matches, sometimes against legends like Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen.
Highlights not to miss
- 🚥 His first win in Hungary in 2003, a real turning point.
- 🏆 His two consecutive world titles in 2005 and 2006.
- ⏰ First driver to exceed 100,000 km in races, at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.
- 🚗 His sensational return to Aston Martin in 2023.
- 🎯 Memorable duels with Vettel, Hamilton, and Verstappen.
A discreet but touching private life
At 44, Fernando will soon have a new role: that of a father. His partner Melissa Jiménez, a former sports journalist, is expecting their first child, an enormous joy in his life.
We often think that the private lives of athletes at this level are super exposed, but Alonso manages to keep some privacy. Marriage? Not officially yet, but love seems strong.
His balance off the track gives him this strength on the track, you can feel it. Stability, family, it really changes a guy, even a driving ace.
All this is to be discovered a little more on his private life and personal projects, really nice to follow.
News and projects: the future of a legendary driver in 2026
As his contract with Aston Martin soon ends, rumors are wild. Mercedes could offer him a seat, it’s anything but impossible. Jacques Villeneuve himself advises the Germans to try their luck.
In 2024, he was at the top with a nice 4th place in the championship, even if the end of the season was less flamboyant. This proves that despite his age, height, and fortune, he remains a formidable opponent on the circuit.
Fernando Alonso also continues to play on several fronts, like endurance or the Indianapolis 500, because he never does anything halfway.
To follow his latest performances, take a look at his very complete profile and the latest season news.
What makes him so unique
More than his fortune, it is his tenacity that stands out. At 44, Alonso is still in great shape, proof that talent has no age, nor size limit in sport.
He shows us that when you are young, you have to fight to create your destiny. At his age, he inspires the younger ones, but also reflects on his long career, that of a champion unlike any other.
