Fernando Alonso equaled Kimi Raikkonen’s record of 349 starts in Monza last weekend and is on the verge of a new all-time record. At the age of 41, the Spaniard is far from thinking about retiring, having recently signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin.
That’s why the two-time world champion has no doubts that he will do 400 races. A number he will likely reach towards the end of the 2024 season.
“I know the number because we’re reminded of it every weekend, but I don’t care that much,” Alonso said of setting Raikkonen’s record in Monza. “I’m happy to have been in Formula 1 for so many years – and with the two more years or how many more to come.”
400 starts a sign of its own class
“I’ll definitely get 400 starts. That’s a big number. It shows my passion for the sport and my discipline to race at a high level. If you don’t perform, the team certainly won’t give you 400 Grands Prix.”
Despite being the oldest driver on the grid, Alonso has always stressed that he wants to continue his Formula 1 career into 2023 and beyond. This proved to be a sticking point that stalled talks with Alpine, who only wanted to give Alonso a permanent one-year contract with an option for 2024.
Alonso’s Formula One career has spanned more than 20 years, having made his debut for Minardi in 2001. He has driven every season since, with the exception of 2002 when he was a test driver for Renault and 2019/20 when he took a break from Formula 1 to explore other racing series.
Hamilton closest to Alonso
Raikkonen had taken over the starting record from Rubens Barrichello at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix before completing his 349th and final race in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Alongside Alonso, Lewis Hamilton is the only other active driver with 300+ starts with 304 starts. Over the next six weeks he will overtake Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher (both 306) to move up to fourth on the all-time leaderboard.
Sebastian Vettel is just behind Hamilton with 293 starts and will reach 300 at his final race in Abu Dhabi. He then retired from Formula 1.