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F1 driver Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin on Formula 1 drivers

Alonso explains difference between Formula One drivers past and present

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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 drivers are far better prepared for the sport than ever before. The 43-year-old still manages to compete at a very high level but now does so against drivers half his age. Youngsters such as Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto made their mark on F1 during the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Alonso is a veteran of Formula 1. The Spanish driver has nearly 400 Grands Prix under his belt and doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. He signed a contract to remain at Aston Martin in 2025 and 2026. He will work with Adrian Newey when the designer joins the Silverstone-based team in March. But Alonso has also witnessed something special at the other end of the age spectrum. 

Bearman came in as a last-minute substitute for Carlos Sainz at just 18 years old. The young Brit had just one practice session at Jeddah, the fastest street circuit on the calendar, before going into a meaningful session and almost reaching Q3. Bearman scored points on debut and did so again when he appeared at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on behalf of Haas. 21-year-old Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams and immediately impressed.

Alonso: 'You have to perform at top level for ten months'

Alonso thinks today's drivers are better prepared than those of the past. He cites Bearman and Colapinto as examples. "I think they did an incredible job, and credit to them. They are more prepared, yes. They do more simulator, yes. They do some TPC and some other testing, yes. But it's not the same when you test and then when you race, and they had the pressure of the racing, and the street circuit and things like that, and they did an incredible job," Alonso said.

"The championship is also 24 races, and they need to perform at this top level for 10 months, and that's probably another challenge. But so far, they've been incredibly good, and this is good for the sport and the future," Alonso added.

This article has been created in collaboration with Jeroen Immink