Who is Fernando Alonso?

Formula 1 racing has an audience that’s truly international. The speed, courses, vehicles, and performance have all captivated auto fans around the world for years. Yet what makes these amazing vehicles traverse their unique and skill-based courses are the drivers themselves. 

In recent years, the Aston Martin F1 team has become one attempting to make a new name in the expanding F1 world. While the team had made its debut at the 1959 Dutch Grand Prix, its poor performance that season would mark the end of a short-lived run.

In 2021, Aston Martin re-entered the world of Formula 1 with its own team of drivers, which includes Lance Stroll. Among their new arrivals is Spanish F1 racer, Fernando Alonso. So who is Fernando Alonso, and what’s his history with F1 racing in general? Aston Martin Palm Beach is here to explore Alonso’s career and background in Formula 1 racing.

The Aston Martin F1 Racer From Asturias 

Born on July 29, 1981, in the city of Oviedo in Asturias, Spain, Fernando Alonso had an interest in racing from an early age. At the age of three, his father gave him a go-kart he had originally intended for Fernanado’s older sister, Lorena. 

Two years later, he was granted a kart racing license by the local racing federation. By age seven, he won his first kart race at Pola de Laviana in Laviana, Spain. Over the next ten years, Fernando Alonso would win multiple kart racing championships and even worked as a mechanic for younger kart drivers. 

At age 17, Alonso entered the world of formal racing with the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan. Subsequent racing at the International Formula 3000 Championship, the Hungaroring, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps only solidified his ability as a driver. In December 1999, he was given an F1 car test at the Circuito de Jerez. 

After several more tests, he joined the Minardi racing team. Alonso’s path to Aston Martin F1 was set in stone.

F1 Racing Around The World

While the Minardi team had gained some fans over its 26-year run, Fernando Alonso’s time with them was short-lived. His best result was a tenth-place finish at the 2001 German Grand Prix.

He would move over to Renault as a test driver, staying with them until 2006. During this period, he began setting records at multiple grand prix events. Among his accomplishments was being the youngest driver to win a pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix. He would also become the youngest F1 race winner at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix.

After numerous racing successes, Alonso would move over to McLaren for a short period. Unfortunately numerous events, alongside his rivalry with fellow F1 racer Lewis Hamilton, led to his departure from the team. He would return to Renault for the foreseeable future.

Following numerous runs with Ferrari, McLaren again, and Alpine, Alonso would find his way to the Aston Martin F1 team. Leading into this, he had managed to score his first podium finish since 2014 at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix, alongside successful runs at that year’s Italian, Dutch, and Russian Grand Prix events.

His Aston Martin F1 debut at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix was a great start. Gaining third place, he won a podium finish, the first for the Aston Martin team since 2021. Shortly after, he set a new record at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. While he finished third, this was his 100th podium, making him the sixth driver to score 100 podiums during his F1 career. 

No matter the case, even 23 years after his debut, Fernando Alonso continues to set his own records in the F1 racing world.

Learn More About Aston Martin F1 Racing With Aston Martin Palm Beach

Now that you know who is Fernando Alonso, you can turn to Aston Martin Palm Beach for all things Aston Martin and F1. Whether you live in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, or beyond, we’re here to provide you with some of the newest updates related to the Aston Martin F1 team.

Beyond their Formula 1 racing, Aston Martin still has a great selection of new vehicles you can consider for your West Palm Beach drives. Check out our new vehicle specials if you’re looking to save on the latest options. For those with a heritage Aston Martin car, we also offer Heritage Care on older Aston Martin models. Experience everything Aston Martin has to offer with Aston Martin Palm Beach!