Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has achieved a remarkable milestone in his illustrious Formula 1 career, surpassing all other drivers in total race distance. Since making his F1 debut in the 2001 Australian Grand Prix, the Spanish driver has accumulated an astounding 109,237 kilometers driven in race distance.
Alonso's lead in race distance is significant, with a considerable gap over second-place finisher Lewis Hamilton. The British driver has covered 102,117 kilometers, while Nico Hulkenberg sits in third with 60,454 kilometers, despite never securing a podium finish in his F1 career. In fourth place is reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who has clocked 56,981 kilometers, followed by Carlos Sainz in fifth with 55,479 kilometers.
Alonso Eyes 2026 as Potential Retirement Year
At 44 years old, Alonso has hinted that the 2026 season could mark the end of his F1 journey. The two-time world champion, who has had a storied career, spoke candidly about his plans for the future.
He reflected on the evolution of his role at Aston Martin, expressing his belief that his current teammate, Lance Stroll, will eventually take the reins at the team after Alonso’s departure. He said:
“I think Lance is very open always as I am with him. I am in the final part of my career and I try to help him as much as I can because he will be leading the team very soon.”
Strong Team Bond with Lance Stroll
Alonso elaborated on the strong relationship he has with Stroll, which has been built on mutual respect and shared goals. He praised Stroll’s loyalty to Aston Martin and his distinct approach to working within the team:
“This relationship was very strong since day one. I know Lance for many, many years. I know Lawrence as well. Lance is part of the team. His loyalty and his way of working with the team is maybe a little bit different than any other teammate that I had in the past.”
Alonso continued, noting the value of loyalty within a team, especially compared to previous teammates who were sometimes reluctant to share information or work toward long-term success:
“They could go somewhere else in the following year or they were a little bit more reluctant to share things or to work together into the future. While Lance is part of the Aston Martin family, so this makes things easier for everyone.”
Reflecting on His F1 Future and Retirement Plans
Alonso, reflecting on his upcoming seasons, acknowledged that the 2026 season would likely mark the end of his F1 career, given his current contract. He shared:
“Probably – or at least to start with – it will be my last season in Formula 1 because my contract finishes at the end of 2026, so it’s the time of delivering and the time of truth. High expectations.”
As he gears up for the 2025 season, Alonso is focused on making the most of his remaining time in F1, adding:
“I will start the season thinking like that, for sure, because I cannot think too much in the future. At the moment, my current contract is for two more years. With my age, my motivation, I don’t know how it’s going to be.”
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
With Alonso’s future in the sport uncertain beyond 2026, the next couple of years promise to be crucial in his final F1 chapters. His leadership role at Aston Martin and continued drive will no doubt make him a key figure to watch in the coming seasons.