“A special moment”
Formula 1 world champion, father for the first time at the age of 44
Updated March 27, 2026 – 10:57 amReading time: 1 min.
Former world champion Fernando Alonso arrived late for the Japanese Grand Prix. For a very special reason.
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso became a father for the first time at the age of 44. “Everything went well for the mother and the baby. It’s a very happy and special moment,” the Spaniard confirmed to the streaming service DAZN on the sidelines of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Alonso traveled to Suzuka late because of the birth. The Aston Martin driver skipped the official media day in the paddock on Thursday and was replaced by the American Jak Crawford in the opening training session on Friday. The two-time world champion was back in his car for the second training session.
“I have jet lag because I arrived in the morning and completed FP2. We will go to sleep early because I missed the night in Europe,” said Alonso before the third Grand Prix of the year on Sunday (from 7 a.m. in the live ticker on t-online).
This is the fourth child for Alonso’s partner Melissa Jimenez (38), who works as a journalist at DAZN. Jimenez already has two daughters and a son from a previous relationship with former Dortmund professional footballer Marc Bartra.
As a father, Alonso is not alone in the paddock. The German Nico Hülkenberg, the four-time world champion Max Verstappen and his former teammate Sergio Perez also already have offspring. “You can never imagine anything, it happens as it happens,” said Alonso after the birth. “You’re stressed and worried that everything will go well.”
