Martin Brundle has offered his reaction on X after Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso signed a contract extension with the team. Aston confirmed on Thursday evening that Alonso had penned a multi-year new deal.
Alonso was one of many drivers in the final year of his contract, but team principal Mike Krack had already confirmed that the team would try to tie him down in the early part of the season. The Spaniard scored eight podiums for the team last year and has maintained that excellent form into 2024 even though they have regressed.
He’s bagged 24 of their first 33 points to slot between the two Mercedes drivers in the standings. While he received a 20-second penalty for potentially dangerous driving before George Russell’s crash at the Australian Grand Prix, he delivered fifth and sixth-place finishes either side of that controversy.
Alonso had two decisions to make regarding his future – first, whether he wanted to continue racing at all, and second, whether he wanted to change teams. Clearly, he remains confident in his medium-term prospects with Lawrence Stroll’s team, and as motivated as ever to end an 11-year victory drought.
His new contract runs until at least the end of 2026, which means it will take him into F1’s new era. It will be a particularly significant change for Aston Martin, who are set to embark on an exclusive engine deal with Honda.
Martin Brundle raves about ‘exceptional’ Fernando Alonso
Writing on X, Brundle marvelled at Alonso’s ‘incredible’ longevity. He feels it would be worthy of praise ‘in any sport’, not just Formula 1.
The Sky Sports F1 pundit said: “That man has incredible motivation and staying power. And enduring talent. Exceptional, in any sport, in any era.”
Alonso made his F1 debut 23 years ago at the Australian Grand Prix. He’s started more races (381) than any driver in history, with Kimi Raikkonen (349) his closest challenger until Lewis Hamilton (336) overtakes him later this year.
He announced his retirement in 2018 but made a comeback with Alpine three years later before joining Aston Martin for 2023. The Oviedo-born racer will be 45 when his latest contract expires.
Who is the oldest F1 driver to win a championship?
Alonso is holding out hope of adding to his two titles before he finally calls time on his storied career. Since his back-to-back triumphs with Renault in 2005 and 2006, he’s come agonisingly close in 2007, 2010 and 2012.
However, in F1’s 74-year history, only three drivers have topped the final standings at the age of 40 or older. One of those was F1’s first-ever champion Nino Farina, while Juan Manuel Fangio was 46 when he took his fifth and final crown that same decade. Jack Brabham is the last driver to achieve the feat, a full 57 years ago.
What’s more, with Alonso all but out of contention in 2023, he’d have to wait at least 19 years between championships. That would be almost three times longer than the current record of seven, held by Niki Lauda (1977 to 1984). If he managed it, it would truly be an extraordinary feat.
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