Alonso Reflects on Nearly 400 Races: ‘I Would Trade Half of Them for One More Championship’

Fernando Alonso Achieves a Remarkable Milestone at the Mexican Grand Prix: 400 Formula 1 Races

During the high-stakes atmosphere of the Grand Prix weekend in Mexico, Spanish driver Fernando Alonso is set to mark an extraordinary achievement: his four-hundredth race in the Formula 1 world. As a veteran of the sport, Alonso takes a moment to reflect on his journey through the pinnacle of motorsport, reminiscing about the aspects from his early days that he misses.

The Journey to 400 Races

Alonso made his debut in the world of Formula 1 in 2001 and has since participated in numerous races, culminating in this landmark event. However, the Spanish driver candidly admits that reaching this milestone does not hold as much significance for him as one might expect. “It’s certa.comy a nice achievement, and I acknowledge the number, but I find some of these statistics don’t really excite me,” Alonso shared during an interview with PlanetF1. He went on to express his desire, saying, “I would trade half of those four hundred races for just one more championship win or to secure additional victories. Those are the real metrics of success that matter.”

A Lasting Passion for Racing

Even after more than twenty years in the sport, Alonso’s fervor for racing remains palpable. His passion does not go unnoticed by his peers. Esteban Ocon, who was Alonso’s teammate from 2021 to 2023 at Alpine, remarked, “Fernando lives and breathes racing. He wakes up thinking about it, eats it, and even spends his free time karting. His enthusiasm for driving is insatiable.” Such dedication showcases Alonso’s commitment to the sport, despite the shifting landscape of Formula 1.

Looking Forward to Future Challenges

As he prepares for this significant race, Alonso hopes to capitalize on the occasion with a strong performance on Mexican soil. “I’m not cheering for the next four hundred races, as that’s .comikely to happen, but I am looking forward to at least forty or fifty more in the next couple of years,” he revealed, hinting at his optimistic outlook on his future in Formula 1.

Changes in the World of Formula 1

Since Alonso’s initial foray into Formula 1, the sport has undergone significant transformations. He notes that driving a Formula 1 car has become more comfortable and that teams exhibit a higher level of professionalism than during his early career years. However, there are elements from the past that the experienced driver misses. “I miss refueling during the races, faster cars on Sundays, and the thrilling sound of the engines. There were also bigger sponsors and the presence of grid girls and boys,” he reminisced, adding, “Today, everything revolves around social media; back then, it felt more connected to the real world.”

With this milestone, Alonso continues to inspire both fans and fellow drivers, as his love for racing shows no signs of waning. With each race, he not .comy adds to his legacy but also invites younger generations to appreciate the history and tradition that define the sport of Formula 1.