Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso
Born	Fernando Alonso Díaz (1981-07-29) July 29, 1981 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Occupation	Racing driver
Years active	1999–present
Known for	Two-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Champion, two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner

Fernando Alonso Díaz (born 29 July 1981) is a Spanish racing driver currently competing in Formula One with Aston Martin. He secured two Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles in and while driving for Renault, accumulating Grand Prix victories throughout a career spanning 22 seasons. In endurance racing, Alonso claimed the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice with Toyota. He remains the sole driver to have captured both the Formula One World Drivers' Championship and the World Endurance Drivers' Championship, and also triumphed at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019 with WTR.

Originating from Oviedo, Alonso began karting at just three years old, advancing through lower formula categories to win the Euro Open by Nissan title in 1999 and finishing fourth in the International Formula 3000 standings in 2000. His Formula One debut came with Minardi in , followed by a role as Renault test driver before securing a race seat in . That year, he became the youngest driver to claim pole position and victory, achieving numerous podium finishes during . His major breakthrough occurred with seven wins in , making him Spain’s inaugural World Drivers' Champion and the youngest champion at that time. He successfully defended his crown the following year.

In , Alonso transferred to McLaren, narrowly missing out on the championship by a single point, before returning to Renault amid internal team conflicts. The season saw him win multiple races, including the contentious Singapore Grand Prix, but he endured a winless campaign in . Signing with Ferrari for , Alonso finished second behind Sebastian Vettel by four points, secured one victory in , and again finished runner-up in both and . After a difficult, winless season under new engine regulations, he rejoined McLaren powered by Honda from to 2018, where limited success preceded his initial retirement.

Shifting focus to sportscar racing, Alonso won the FIA World Endurance Championship and two Le Mans titles driving for Toyota. He returned to Formula One with Alpine in , achieving his first podium finish in seven years at the Qatar Grand Prix and setting a record for most career starts. Joining Aston Martin for , he earned several podiums and concluded fourth overall, marking his 100th career podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In , Alonso became the first competitor to participate in 400 Grands Prix.

As of his most recent race, Alonso holds records for most race starts () and entries (), alongside wins, pole positions, fastest laps, and podium finishes. He is contracted with Aston Martin through at least 2026. Outside of racing, Alonso won the 2001 Race of Champions Nations' Cup, has competed three times at the Indianapolis 500 (2017, 2019, 2020), manages a driver agency, and has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005. His accolades include the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit and dual induction into the FIA Hall of Fame.

Early life and karting career

Born on 29 July 1981 into a working-class family in Oviedo, Asturias, Northern Spain, Alonso is the son of José Luis Alonso—a mechanic at a mine shaft explosives factory and amateur kart racer—and Ana Díaz, who worked at a department store. He has an older sister named Lorena who is a medical doctor.

Alonso attended Holy Guardian Angel Primary School from 1985 until 1995 before enrolling at Institute Leopoldo Alas Clarín of San Lazaro; however, he left during his University Orientation Course in 2000 due to his growing commitment to motorsport. Although he seldom attended classes, Alonso kept up academically by relying on notes from peers.

His father initially built a go-kart intended for Lorena but when she showed no interest, it was adapted for three-year-old Fernando. By age five, he had obtained his mandatory kart racing license. Despite an opportunity for Fernando to become goalkeeper for RC Celta de Vigo football club being offered by his father, they prioritized motorsport instead. Financial limitations restricted their ability to fully support his karting career—such as purchasing rain tires—forcing him to compete on slick tires even under wet conditions. His mother took care of tailoring his racing suits and ensuring academic progress while his father fulfilled multiple roles including accountant, manager, mechanic, and advisor.

At seven years old, Alonso won his first kart race held in Pola de Laviana. He went on to claim junior championships across Asturias and Galicia during 1988 and 1989 before advancing to the Cadet category in 1990. Kart importer Genís Marcó became a mentor figure who helped secure sponsorships facilitating Alonso’s entry into European competitions. Additionally, six-time Karting World Champion Mike Wilson provided guidance.

In 1990, Alonso won both Asturias and Basque Country Cadet Championships and finished runner-up in the Spanish Cadet National Championship in 1991. The local federation permitted him to compete in the more powerful 100cc class despite being underage. In 1993 he joined the Italian American Motor Engineering works team and proceeded to win three consecutive Spanish Junior National Championships from 1993 through 1995.

These achievements paved his way into world championship events where he placed third at the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK-FIA) Cadets’ Rainbow Trophy in 1995. To support himself financially during this period, he worked as a mechanic for younger drivers. The following year saw him claim his fourth Spanish Junior Karting title along with victories at Trofeo Estival, Marlboro Masters, and CIK-FIA Five Continents Juniors Cup held at Karting Genk. In 1997 Alonso secured both Italian and Spanish International A championships while finishing second overall at the European Championship with nine wins including prestigious events like Masters Karting Paris Bercy and Spanish Karting Championship.

Early racing years

At the age of 17, Alonso made his initial foray into car racing by competing in the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan with Campos Motorsport, where he clinched the championship by winning six races and securing nine pole positions. The following year, he progressed to the International Formula 3000 Championship driving for the Minardi-supported Team Astromega, concluding the season in fourth place overall with 17 points, including a victory at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Minardi and Renault era (2001–2006)

Thanks to Cesare Fiorio, the sports director, Alonso earned his first Formula One test at Circuito de Jerez in December 1999 as a reward for winning the Euro Open by Nissan. He served as Minardi’s test and reserve driver before making his race debut with them in . Although the car was not competitive, Alonso's best result was tenth place, finishing the season without scoring points.

In 2002, Alonso took on the role of Renault's test driver under the management of Flavio Briatore, aiding in development work alongside drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button. Additionally, he conducted tests for Jaguar. Elevated to Renault’s race team in , he broke records as the youngest driver to achieve pole position and race victory, earning four podium finishes and ending sixth in the World Drivers' Championship with a total of 55 points.

Alonso remained with Renault through , improving steadily to fourth place in the championship while accumulating multiple podiums and a pole position. The following year, he engaged in a tight battle with McLaren’s Kimi Räikkönen, capitalizing on better reliability amid regulatory changes. Alonso amassed seven wins, six poles, fourteen podiums, and secured his first World Drivers' Championship at just 24 years old with 133 points.

In April 2005, Alonso renewed his contract with Renault for . Entering as the favorite to defend his title, he faced stiff competition from Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher. Alonso dominated the early part of the season by winning six out of nine races and establishing a comfortable lead. Nevertheless, an FIA ban on Renault’s tuned mass damper system combined with Ferrari’s development gains narrowed the gap. Heading into the penultimate race tied on points, Alonso triumphed at the Grand Prix while Schumacher retired. A second-place finish in the final race ensured Alonso claimed his second consecutive World Championship, becoming Formula One’s youngest double world champion.

McLaren tenure and return to Renault (2007–2009)

Following confidential negotiations in Japan, Alonso and McLaren owner Ron Dennis agreed on a three-year contract starting in . Although his Renault contract expired on 31 December 2006 without early release due to sponsorship constraints, Renault permitted Alonso to test McLaren cars at Circuito de Jerez in November 2006. During 2007, Alonso’s main rivals were teammate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Räikkönen. He achieved four Grand Prix victories (Malaysia, Monaco, Europe, Italy) and led the championship until Hamilton surpassed him. Prior to the final race in Brazil, Alonso held 103 points compared to Hamilton's 107 and Räikkönen's 100; finishing third in Brazil placed him third overall with 109 points—tied with Hamilton but losing on countback.

Relations between Alonso and Hamilton deteriorated over the season amid controversies such as espionage allegations and qualifying conflicts. This culminated in a mutual agreement to end Alonso’s contract with McLaren in November 2007. Due to restrictions imposed by McLaren, he was prevented from joining teams considered direct rivals for . After turning down several proposals, Alonso opted for a two-year contract back at Renault owing to their sustained commitment to Formula One and proven performance record.

Initially hampered by restricted development leading to low power output, Renault’s car limited Alonso to just nine points during the first seven rounds. However, aerodynamic upgrades later enabled him to claim victory at both the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix and 2008 Japanese Grand Prix. The Singapore win became controversial due to the "crashgate" scandal involving teammate Piquet Jr., who was instructed to crash deliberately benefiting Alonso’s race outcome. In the final five races of that season, Alonso outscored all other drivers with 43 points and finished fifth overall with 61 points.

Alonso was poised to become a free agent for if Renault failed to finish third or better in the Constructors' Championship. Despite offers from Red Bull Racing and Honda, he extended his tenure at Renault through a two-year deal. The 2009 car lacked competitiveness because it missed key innovations like a dual diffuser system and overall pace was insufficient. Alonso declined an aerodynamic front wing designed to enhance overtaking opportunities, doubting its effectiveness. Throughout that year, he scored points in eight events including one podium (third place at ). He also secured pole position at the Grand Prix and led for twelve laps before retiring due to a wheel failure. Concluding ninth in the Drivers' Championship with 26 points—the lowest since 2003—Alonso nevertheless preserved his status as one of Formula One’s elite drivers.

Ferrari (2010–2014)

Although Alonso reached an agreement with Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo to join the team in 2009, team principal Jean Todt extended the contracts of Felipe Massa and Räikkönen through that year. Eventually, Alonso secured a mid-2009 contract to race for Ferrari starting in , which was advanced to 2010 following Renault's Singapore investigation and Räikkönen’s departure. His primary contenders for the championship included McLaren’s Hamilton and Button, alongside Red Bull’s Vettel and Webber. In 2010, Alonso claimed five victories and entered the season finale with an eight-point lead, having overcome a 47-point deficit mid-season. However, after finishing seventh in Abu Dhabi, he ended the year as runner-up to Vettel.

During the 2011 season, Alonso’s vehicle exhibited conservative design traits, struggling with aerodynamic grip and tyre performance during qualifying sessions. Despite these challenges, he achieved ten podium finishes and won the Grand Prix due to a strategic error by Red Bull. He out-qualified teammate Massa fifteen times and concluded the year fourth overall with 257 points, narrowly missing second place to Webber after the final race.

Prior to , Alonso renewed his contract with Ferrari until . His chief rival for the title was Vettel. Victories in Malaysia, Valencia, and Germany combined with steady points accumulation gave him a 40-point lead in the championship. Nonetheless, collisions, mechanical failures, and Vettel’s improved performance erased this advantage. Entering the last race trailing Vettel by 13 points, Alonso secured second place by finishing runner-up while Vettel came fourth, ending the season with 278 points.

In 2013, Alonso piloted a car designed with aggressive aerodynamic features, winning races in China and Spain while consistently scoring points. However, changes to tyre compounds at the Grand Prix alongside ineffective aerodynamic updates caused him to lose ground to Vettel. He once again finished second in the championship with 242 points. During this period, his relationship with Ferrari cooled amid growing skepticism about the team’s capacity to produce a title-winning car.

The 2014 campaign saw no victories for Alonso as Ferrari’s car fell behind Mercedes’ championship-winning performance. He managed podium finishes of third in China and second in Hungary but ultimately dropped to sixth place overall with 161 points. That year, he out-qualified teammate Räikkönen sixteen times by an average margin exceeding half a second per lap.

Return to McLaren (2015–2019)

After departing Ferrari due to disagreements with team principal Marco Mattiacci and unsuccessful contract negotiations, Alonso returned to McLaren on a three-year deal spanning from to . A concussion sustained during a pre-season test crash in February 2015 forced him to miss the opening , where reserve driver Kevin Magnussen took his place. The season proved difficult as McLaren’s underpowered Honda engine limited their competitiveness. Alonso scored points twice and finished seventeenth in the Drivers' Championship with eleven points. His frustration was apparent through numerous radio complaints regarding the car's lack of pace.

Despite facing an unreliable and uncompetitive car, Alonso remained committed to McLaren for . Injuries from a crash at the season-opening event forced him to miss the , where reserve Stoffel Vandoorne substituted. He out-qualified teammate Button fifteen times and scored points on nine occasions, including two fifth-place finishes. Alonso ended the season tenth in the Drivers' Championship with fifty-four points.

Alonso continued racing for McLaren throughout , though reliability issues hindered his performance; his best finish was sixth at the . He concluded the year fifteenth in the Drivers' Championship with seventeen points.

Following contract discussions with McLaren CEO Zak Brown, Alonso signed a multi-year contract extension on 19 October 2017. He started the season with a fifth-place finish at , achieving nine top-ten results overall. Consistently out-qualifying teammate Stoffel Vandoorne, Alonso drove assertively but grew increasingly frustrated as McLaren shifted its focus from developing their power unit towards . He finished eleventh in the Drivers' Championship with fifty points, before departing Formula One at the end of 2018 due to dissatisfaction with both competitive prospects and off-track controversies impacting the sport.

Remaining affiliated with McLaren as a brand ambassador, Alonso provided guidance to drivers and took part in selected test sessions. In April 2019, he drove the MCL34 during a two-day post-race Bahrain test focused on Pirelli tyre development. No further testing was scheduled as McLaren prioritized current drivers. His ambassador role concluded at the end of 2019 without renewal for the following year.

Alpine (2021–2022)

For the season, Alonso rejoined the Alpine F1 Team, partnering with Esteban Ocon following Renault's transition to Alpine. Prior to his comeback, he participated in four testing days with the Renault R.S.18 and led the post-2020 young driver test while driving the Renault R.S.20. His first race at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix was cut short due to brake duct debris. At the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Alonso initially finished 11th but was later promoted to 10th place, earning his first points of that year.

During the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, Alonso briefly held the lead before finishing fourth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton; Ocon credited Alonso’s defensive driving as a key factor in securing his maiden victory. In August 2021, Alonso renewed his contract for the following season. After the summer break, he consistently scored points: sixth in the Netherlands, eighth in Italy, sixth in Russia after running as high as third, and achieved a podium finish with third place in Qatar—his first since 2014.

Alonso stayed with Alpine for the 2022 season. He recorded his best qualifying result for Alpine by starting second at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix, but strategic errors and an engine problem led to a ninth-place finish following a post-race penalty.

Aston Martin (2023–)

In , Alonso signed a multi-year deal with Aston Martin, teaming up with Lance Stroll. He opted for Aston Martin primarily due to their longer contract offer, as Alpine proposed only a single-year extension.

Making his debut at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, Alonso took advantage of the enhanced performance of the Aston Martin AMR23 to finish third, delivering Aston Martin’s first podium since 2021. Despite receiving an initial grid penalty, he secured another third-place at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking his 100th career podium. A subsequent penalty was overturned on appeal, reinstating his podium position.

At the incident-filled 2023 Australian Grand Prix, Alonso again finished third after contact with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr., whose penalty demoted him to last place. Alonso described Sainz’s penalty as "too harsh." The team encountered difficulties with drag reduction system (DRS) malfunctions during qualifying at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Alonso qualified sixth and ended fourth in the race.

Mid-season saw a decline in podium finishes; however, Alonso claimed two podiums at Zandvoort—including his first fastest lap since 2017—and at the 2023 São Paulo Grand Prix, narrowly edging out teammate Sergio Pérez. He wrapped up the season fourth overall in the drivers’ championship with 206 points, substantially ahead of Stroll’s 74 points, marking his best championship position since .

At the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix, Alonso reached a significant milestone by participating in his 400th Grand Prix weekend, becoming the first driver ever to do so.

Endurance racing

Alonso made his initial appearance in sports car endurance competitions at the 1999 24 Hours of Barcelona, where he secured third place in the M10 category and finished tenth overall. He competed in a Hyundai Accent alongside Antonio García, Salvi Delmuns, and journalist Pedro Fermín Flores. Although planned to participate in the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche's Le Mans Prototype 1 squad, Honda prevented his involvement.

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (2018–2019)

To prepare for Le Mans, Alonso took part in the 2018 24 Hours of Daytona driving a Ligier JS P217 for United Autosports, teaming up with Philip Hanson and McLaren reserve driver Lando Norris. Despite qualifying 13th, the team ended up 38th due to mechanical difficulties. Alonso returned for the 2019 edition of the race with Wayne Taylor Racing, sharing a Cadillac DPi-V.R with Kamui Kobayashi, Renger van der Zande, and Jordan Taylor. Their squad completed 593 laps to claim victory in the rain-shortened event.

FIA World Endurance Championship (2018–2019)

Brown explored the possibility of fielding an entry for Alonso at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans and was open to a team change under specific terms. Subsequently, Alonso and Toyota reached an agreement to compete at Le Mans, with Alonso visiting Toyota's Cologne facility in November 2017 for a seat fitting. That same month, he participated in a post-season rookie test at the Bahrain International Circuit. In January 2018, McLaren and Toyota consented to allow Alonso to contest the full 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship, with Fuji Speedway organizers rescheduling their race to avoid overlap with the 2018 United States Grand Prix. Alonso joined Toyota’s No. 8 TS050 Hybrid alongside teammates Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima.

In February, Alonso tested the 2018 TS050 Hybrid and prepared by competing in a 24-hour karting event. Together with Buemi and Nakajima, he secured the LMP1 Drivers' Championship by achieving five wins, including triumphs at the 2018 and 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans, capitalizing on rivals’ mechanical setbacks during critical races. Alonso exited the series following that season.

McLaren Honda Andretti (2017)

Prior to the 2017 Australian Grand Prix, Zak Brown suggested Alonso enter the 2017 Indianapolis 500, an idea initially met with doubt. The proposal resurfaced during an event in Los Angeles, where Alonso expressed enthusiasm, recalling McLaren’s historic success at Indianapolis. Alonso and his manager Garcia Abad met with Brown and Éric Boullier in China to discuss the opportunity further; Alonso ultimately chose to compete, describing it as "a good decision for everyone: a win-win for myself, for F1, the fans, everyone." Brown then contacted IndyCar CEO Mark Miles and discovered no Honda-powered entries were registered. Miles coordinated with Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti to withdraw driver Stefan Wilson’s planned entry, clearing a spot for Alonso.

Alonso piloted the No. 29 McLaren-Honda-Andretti Dallara DW12 and completed rookie orientation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 3, drawing over two million livestream viewers. He qualified fifth fastest during the Fast Nine shootout and led four separate stints totaling 27 laps before engine failure ended his race with 21 laps remaining. He was classified in 24th place and received Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors.

McLaren Racing (2019)

In August 2018, McLaren announced plans for Fernando Alonso to participate in the 2019 IndyCar Series, with the series' endorsement. The following month, Alonso completed testing in a 2018 Andretti Autosport Dallara DW12-Honda at Barber Motorsports Park. Ultimately, McLaren decided to focus exclusively on the 2019 Indianapolis 500 and maintain their primary commitment to Formula One. They collaborated with Carlin Motorsport for logistical and technical assistance and secured an engine supply agreement with Chevrolet.

During March 2019, Alonso visited the McLaren Technology Centre to undergo a seat fitting for the No. 66 Dallara IR18-Chevrolet, which included modifications to suit IndyCar’s brake pedal configuration. His race engineer was Andy Brown, while Liam Dance took on the role of chief mechanic. Unfortunately, Alonso did not qualify after being bumped to 34th position by Kyle Kaiser of Juncos Racing. Due to their partnership, McLaren proposed purchasing the Arrow Schmidt Peterson entry driven by Oriol Servià to guarantee Alonso’s participation, but Alonso declined to displace a qualified competitor.

Several issues contributed to this unsuccessful qualification attempt: a spare car had been dismantled and required assembly and transport from Carlin following Alonso’s practice crash; a conversion mistake between imperial and metric units caused the car to scrape; and incorrect gear ratios diminished top speed.

Arrow McLaren SP (2020)

After negotiations with Andretti Autosports fell through, Alonso raced in the 2020 Indianapolis 500 representing Arrow McLaren SP. He experienced a crash during practice but secured 26th on the grid. During the race, Alonso reached as high as 15th place mid-race but ultimately finished 21st, one lap behind the leaders. His race was hindered by a clutch problem that necessitated manual restarts during pit stops.

Off-road racing

In 2020, Alonso joined Toyota’s effort in the Dakar Rally after completing an extensive five-month testing program across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. His preparation included competing in events such as South Africa’s Lichtenburg 400, Rally du Maroc, and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ula–Neom Rally, where he achieved a best finish of third place among these lead-up competitions. Partnering with five-time Dakar motorcycle champion Marc Coma, Alonso concluded the Dakar Rally in 13th overall position. He recorded a stage-best second place but lost considerable time due to mechanical repairs on stage two and a rollover incident on stage ten.

Driving style

Alonso is widely recognized as one of Formula One’s all-time great drivers. Journalists and fellow competitors commend his remarkable speed, consistency, and capacity to extract maximum performance from any car under varying conditions. His racecraft includes astute strategic judgment regarding when to aggressively push or conserve tyres. Former driver and commentator Martin Brundle likened Alonso’s feel for grip to that of Ayrton Senna, emphasizing his proficiency in managing corner entry and sustaining momentum through braking zones. Alonso combines aggressive driving with precision, frequently operating his car at the limit of adhesion—particularly evident during qualifying sessions and early race stages.

Despite widespread praise, some figures such as 1979 World Champion Jody Scheckter and Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner have criticized Alonso for creating tension within teams.

Alonso’s wealth of experience enhances his situational awareness and championship-oriented approach to racing. He demonstrates exceptional skill in apexing corners and controlling slides to optimize speed. His braking technique balances maximal force application with rapid modulation, effectively utilizing tyre grip similarly to an inherent anti-lock braking system.

Helmet and racing number

Throughout his career, Alonso has worn helmets produced by various manufacturers: Bieffe in 2001, Arai between 2003 and 2009 as well as in 2016, Schuberth from 2010 to 2015, and Bell starting in 2017. His helmet design incorporates the yellow and red hues of the flag of Spain, complemented by blue from the Asturias flag, two silver thunderbolt arrows inspired by a remote-controlled car from his childhood, and a yellow Asturian cross. He has modified the primary colors to reflect team changes; notably, in 2008, he included symbols such as spades, aces, and hearts to celebrate his two world championship titles.

Between 2011 and 2013, specifically during the Monaco Grands Prix and the 2011 Singapore Grand Prix, Alonso opted for a helmet in gold and white tones instead of his usual blue and yellow. At the 2013 Indian Grand Prix, he donned a white helmet honoring his then-record total of 1571 F1 points, featuring inscriptions like "F1 points World Record" alongside thank-you messages in English, French, and Italian.

For his farewell Ferrari race at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso’s helmet showcased a red pit stop graphic, signatures from team members, and the Italian flag. At the 2017 Indianapolis 500 and United States Grand Prix events, he wore a black helmet adorned with red, yellow, and blue stripes plus his racing number. His 2018 Daytona 24 Hours helmet was white without front stripes but displayed the layout of Daytona International Speedway along with his signature colors. The same year’s Formula One helmet had a primarily blue front transitioning to lighter blue at the upper rear with red-yellow accents at the back. During the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his helmet design was divided between Spain’s flag colors on one side and a blue-checkered pattern on the other; the yellow was replaced by gold, and it listed his total of 32 F1 victories.

In line with FIA regulations introduced for the 2014 season allowing drivers to retain permanent car numbers, Alonso selected number 14—his personal lucky number since securing the world karting championship on 14 July 1996 at age fourteen.

Driver management

Alonso manages A14 Management, a driver management firm that supports emerging talent across diverse motorsport categories. As of 2025, its roster includes Maximilian Günther, Clément Novalak, Nikola Tsolov, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pepe Martí, Sebastián Montoya, Chloe Chambers, Han Cenyu, Andrés Cárdenas, and Carl Bennett.

Public image and influence

Nate Saunders from ESPN characterizes Alonso as "one of the most articulate voices in F1," highlighting his adeptness in media engagements. He skillfully leverages press events to influence public perception and establish himself as a key figure within the Formula One driver market. Despite maintaining a high-profile presence publicly, Alonso values discretion and is known for eschewing ostentatious behavior.

There is a distinct contrast between Alonso’s public image and private demeanor. Carlos Sainz Jr. remarked that "there are two Fernandos," referring to Alonso’s defensive responses when criticized versus his generous nature away from racing. Autosport journalist Ben Anderson notes that Alonso’s achievements demanded a measure of ego and confidence essential for challenging rivals and driving personal improvement. Alonso himself acknowledges this duality by clearly separating his professional persona from his private life.

He lent his voice for cameo roles portraying an anthropomorphized version of himself in the Spanish-language versions of Cars 2 (2011) and Cars 3 (2017).

Journalist Nigel Roebuck credits Alonso as Spain’s inaugural world-class racing driver who significantly elevated Formula One’s standing in a nation traditionally dominated by motorcycle racing and rallying. By 2015, Alonso enjoyed near-universal recognition among Spaniards at a rate of 99%, consistently ranking among the top two most popular drivers in fan surveys conducted by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association during 2010, 2015, and 2017.

The Fernando Alonso Sports Complex opened its doors in Oviedo in June 2015 featuring a karting circuit compliant with CIK-FIA standards offering twenty-nine different layouts. That same year saw the launch of the 'Museo y Circuito Fernando Alonso,' dedicated to celebrating his motorsport career through displays of his race cars, helmets, racing suits, and other memorabilia.

Endorsements and charitable activities

Alonso has collaborated with prominent companies such as Banco Santander, Cajastur, TAG Heuer, Europcar, Silestone, Liberbank, ING, Chandon, Adidas, and Bang & Olufsen. He is both the founder and the face of the fashion brand Kimoa. In 2015, Alonso intended to launch the Fernando Alonso Cycling Team to participate in UCI competitions; however, this initiative was never realized.

His earnings from sponsorships combined with his Formula One salary secured him a spot on Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid athletes worldwide from 2012 through 2018. Between June 2012 and June 2013, he was recognized as the highest-earning driver in motorsport and was listed among the leading international personalities and European celebrities during 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Alonso appeared on the Forbes Celebrity 100 in both 2008 and 2017. In 2020, his entry in the Indianapolis 500 was backed by Ruoff Mortgage.

From 2006 until 2010, Alonso held a directorial position within the GPDA, working alongside Mark Webber and Ralf Schumacher.

In November 2017, Alonso established the FA Racing G2 Logitech G eSports team to compete in virtual racing tournaments across multiple platforms. Although the team disbanded in 2018, it was revived in March 2019 through a collaboration between FA Racing and Veloce Esports. His team has also taken part in competitions such as the F4 Spanish Championship, Formula Renault Eurocup, and karting events. Alonso serves as an investor and board member for the eSports racing platform Motorsport Games.

The Spanish Committee of UNICEF appointed Alonso as a Goodwill Ambassador in February 2005 to advocate for children's rights. He contributed to India's polio eradication campaign in 2011, supported handwashing awareness initiatives in 2012, and took part in UNICEF's anti-cyberbullying campaign in 2017. In 2007, he founded the Fundación Fernando Alonso with aims to promote motor racing and road safety education.

Recognition and distinctions

In recognition of his victory at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, Alonso received the Autosport Gregor Grant Award that same year. He was also honored with the Princess Cristina National Sports Award as a promising newcomer in sports during 2003. April 2005 saw him awarded the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. Between October 2005 and May 2006, Alonso garnered several accolades including the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, the Sportsman of the Year Award from Premios Nacionales del Deporte, and the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit following his triumph in the 2005 Formula One World Championship.

He earned the title of Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year in 2006. For his debut performance at the Indianapolis 500 in 2017, he was voted Rookie of the Year. In 2017, Alonso was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame as a Formula One World Champion and again in 2019 as a FIA World Endurance Champion, becoming the first driver to be inducted twice.

Personal details

Alonso was married to Raquel del Rosario, lead vocalist of Spanish pop group El Sueño de Morfeo, from November 2006 until December 2011. Between 2015 and 2016, he was engaged to Spanish television host Lara Álvarez, followed by a relationship with Italian model Linda Morselli from 2016 through 2021.

He supports football clubs Real Madrid and Real Oviedo, while also being passionate about cycling. Standing at 171 cm (5 ft 7 in), Alonso is fluent in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. His private car collection features luxury vehicles including a McLaren P1, Ferrari 458 Italia, Nissan GT-R, and a second-generation Honda NSX.

Karting record

Summary of karting career

Season	Series	Position
1991	Spanish Championship — Cadet	2nd
1993	Spanish Championship — Junior	1st
1994	Torneo delle Industrie — 100 Junior	28th
	Spanish Championship — Junior	1st
1995	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — 100 Junior	19th
	Rainbow Trophy — Cadets	3rd
	Spanish Championship — Junior	1st
1996	Torneo delle Industrie — 100 Nazionale	28th
	Five Continents Cup — Junior A	1st
	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — 100 Junior	15th
1997	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — ICA	4th
1998	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — Formula A	7th
	European Championship — Formula A	2nd
	World Championship — Formula A	26th
1999	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — Formula A	5th
	European Championship — Formula Super A	18th
	World Championship — Formula Super A	19th

Racing record

Overview of racing career

Season	Series	Team	Races	Wins	Poles	FLaps	Podiums	Points	Position
1999	1999 Euro Open by Nissan season	Campos Racing	15	6	6	5	8	164	1st
2000	2000 International Formula 3000 season	Team Astromega	9	1	1	2	2	17	'4th'
2001	get Minardi team| 17 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||23rd
2002
2003	16 ||1 ||2 ||1 ||4 ||55 ||6th
2004	18 ||0 ||1 ||0 ||4 ||59 ||4th
2005	19 ||7 ||6 ||2 ||15 ||133 ||style="background:#FFFFBF"|1st
2006	18 ||7 ||6 ||5 ||14 ||134 ||style="background:#FFFFBF"|1st
2007	17 ||4 ||2 ||3 ||12 ||109 ||style="background:#FFDF9F"|3rd
2008	18 ||2 ||0 ||0 ||3 ||61 ||5th
2009	17 ||0 ||1 ||2 ||1 ||26 ||9th
2010	19 ||5||2||5||10||252||style="background:#DFDFDF"|2nd
2011	19||1||0||1||10||257||4th
2012	20||3||2||0||13||278||style="background:#DFDFDF"|2nd
2013	19||2||0||2||9||242||style="background:#DFDFDF"|2nd
2014	19||0||0||0||2||161||6th
2015	18||0||0||0||0||11||17th
2016	20||0||0||1||0||54||10th
2017	19||0||0||1||0||17||15th
	1 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||47 ||29th
2018	21 races; no wins or podiums; finished eleventh; points:50 |
	get Toyota Gazoo Racing; won 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans | One win; pole position; podium finish |
	One race; no wins or podiums; finished fifty-eighth; points:18 |
2018–19	8 races; five victories; four poles; seven podiums; points:198; crowned champion |
2019	One win; one podium; points:35; finished twenty-seventh |
	One win; one podium |
	Not classified |
	No race starts |
2020	No wins or podiums |
	No statistics available |
2021	22 races; one podium; points:81; tenth place finish |
2022	22 races without wins or podiums; points:81; ninth place finish |
2023	22 races with eight podiums and two fastest laps; points:206; finished fourth overall |
2024	24 races so far with two fastest laps but no wins or podiums; points:70; currently ninth place |

* Season ongoing.

Complete Euro Open by Nissan results

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend) (Races highlighted in bold denote pole positions; those in italics represent fastest laps)

Year !Entrant !1 !2 !3 !4 !5 !6 !7 !8 !9 !10 !11 !12 !13 !14 !15 !16 !DC !Points

(Results table continues)

Complete International Formula 3000 results

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend) (Bold indicates pole position; italics indicate fastest lap)

(Results table continues)

Complete Formula One results

(Template:F1 driver results legend 2) (Bold for pole positions; italics for fastest laps; small numbers show finishing positions)

(Results table continues)

IndyCar Series

(Results table continues)

Indianapolis 500

(Results table continues)

IMSA SportsCar Championship

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend) (Bold marks pole positions; italics denote fastest laps)

(Results table continues)

24 Hours of Daytona

(Results table continues)

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend) (Bold indicates pole position; italics indicate fastest lap)

(Results table continues)

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year	Team	Co-Drivers	Car	Class	Laps completed	Overall Position	Class Position
2018	Template:Country data JPNTemplate:Namespace detect showall Toyota Gazoo Racing	Template:Country data CHETemplate:Namespace detect showall Sébastien Buemi Template:Country data JPNTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kazuki Nakajima	Toyota TS050 Hybrid	LMP1	388	1st	1st
2019	Template:Country data JPNTemplate:Namespace detect showall Toyota Gazoo Racing	Template:Country data CHETemplate:Namespace detect showall Sébastien Buemi Template:Country data JPNTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kazuki Nakajima	Toyota TS050 Hybrid	LMP1	385	1st	1st

Dakar Rally results

Year	Class	Vehicle	Position	Stages won
2020	Car	Template:Country data JPNTemplate:Namespace detect showall Toyota	13th	0

Formula One records

As of , Alonso holds several notable Formula One records:

Record	Value	Held since
Total entries	Template:F1stat	2022 French Grand Prix
Total starts	Template:F1stat	2022 Singapore Grand Prix
Total career race finishes	335 (tied with Lewis Hamilton)	2022 Singapore Grand Prix
Most classified finishes	345	2023 Dutch Grand Prix
Longest duration between first and last starts	8,918 days	2022 Monaco Grand Prix
Longest interval between first and last fastest laps	7,686 days	2023 Dutch Grand Prix
Longest gap between first and last points finishes	8,183 days	2024 Canadian Grand Prix
Longest span between first and last podium finishes	7,532 days	2023 Dutch Grand Prix
Greatest number of races between consecutive podiums	105	2021 Qatar Grand Prix
Farthest distance covered in F1	112,916 km (70,163 mi)	2022 British Grand Prix
Most laps completed in F1	22,549 laps	2023 Italian Grand Prix

External links

• Profile – Official Formula 1 website
• Profile – McLaren's official site
• Career statistics
• Fernando Alonso statistics