Fernando Alonso has set a new record and beaten the legendary Michael Schumacher!

Fernando Alonso sets a new Formula 1 record! The legendary Spanish driver has surpassed Michael Schumacher in terms of time spent racing in F1. Twenty-one years have passed since Alonso’s debut.

Alonso’s start in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has moved him into first place in Formula 1 for the longest time, breaking the record held by Michael Schumacher.

The Spanish driver made his debut in the Queen of Motorsport on 4 March 2001, at that time still defending the Minardi colours.

The following year, however, he moved to Renalto, where he won the championship twice.

In 2007, he moved to McLaren, where he lasted only one season. After that he returned to Renault, but even this connection did not last long. Two years, to be precise.

From 2010 to 2014, he worked at Ferrari. At the beginning of the 2015 season, he joined McLaren, where he stayed until the end of the 2018 season. After that, he announced a break from F1, for the reason that this sport simply did not bring him joy anymore.

He then announced his big comeback in July 2020, joining the Alpine F1 team for the 2021 season, in whose colours he still races today. No other driver has spent so long in the world of Formula One since his debut (including a hiatus).

It’s been 21 years, 3 months and 8 days since his first race. No other name has been inflected with Formula 1 for such a long time than that of Alonso. This is, in short, the longest career in F1.

During that time, Alonso has achieved two World Championship titles, 32 wins, 98 podiums and 22 pole positions. Unless something very unexpected happens and the Spanish driver remains a member of Alpine until the end of this season, he will also break Kimi Räikkönen’s record for most starts.

Alonso currently has 341 starts to his name, with the now former Finnish driver hitting 349 Grands Prix.

Sources