Fernando Alonso is certain he will make 400 starts in Formula 1 – He will break Kimi Raikkonen’s recently equalled record in Singapore
Fernando Alonso equalled Kimi Raikkonen’s record of 349 starts at Monza last weekend and is on the cusp of setting a new all-time record. At 41, the Spaniard is far from thinking of 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 make it 400 races. A figure he is likely to reach towards the end of the 2024 season.
“I know the number because we are reminded of it every weekend, but I don’t care so much,” Alonso said of setting Raikkonen’s record at 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 his own class
“I will definitely reach 400 starts. That is a big number. It shows my passion for the sport and my discipline to race at a high level. If you don’t perform, I’m sure the team won’t give you 400 Grands Prix. “
Although he is the oldest driver on the grid, Alonso has always stressed that he wants to continue his Formula One career until 2023 and beyond. This proved to be the sticking point that caused talks to break down with Alpine, who only wanted to give Alonso a fixed one-year contract with an option for 2024.
Alonso’s Formula One career spans more than 20 years, having made his debut for Minardi in 2001. He has raced in every season since, with the exception of 2002, when he was a test driver for Renault, and 2019/20, when he took time out from Formula One to explore other racing series.
Hamilton closest pursuer to Alonso
Räikkönen had taken the grid record from Rubens Barrichello at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix before completing his 349th and final race in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Apart from Alonso, Lewis Hamilton is the only other active driver with more than 300 starts, with 304, and he will overtake Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher (both 306) in the next six weeks to move into fourth place on the all-time leaderboard.
Sebastian Vettel is just behind Hamilton with 293 starts and will reach 300 at his last race in Abu Dhabi. After that he will retire from Formula 1.
