Juan Manuel Fangioai, if you are a certain classic of Formula 1 fans Undoubtedly the greatest F1 driver of all time, or, if you are another classic F1 fan, the second greatest F1 driver of all time, or, if you are an even classic Even more recently, the third greatest F1 driver of all time, and also the oldest man to ever win a Formula 1 championship, in 1957, when Fangio 46 years old 41 days. Fernando Alonsowho last won the F1 title in 2006 with renaultcurrently third in the driver standings, got off to a quick start this season with Aston Martin. Alonso will be 42 years old in July, and is almost as strong a driver as ever, with a good car this year. Surely Alonso doesn’t have Fangio in sight? Or maybe he does.
In case you lost it:
At least he says so, as in a recent podcast interview where he raised the possibility of going all the way to age 46 and possibly even winning another title. Via Formula1.com:
In an interview with team sponsor Bang & Olufsen about his long F1 career, Alonso was asked about the future that could hold and how long he is likely to compete at the highest level. more than his current ‘multi-year’ contract.
“I’d love to know the answer too,” began Alonso. “I think when I started in Formula 1, my idea was to be [here] in seven or eight years. Then I won two championships and I thought I would race maybe another year or two, then I would stop.
“I now find myself having the longest career ever in Formula 1. I’m still new. I’m still motivated. I am still enjoying every day. I wake up in the morning and I’m happy with what I’m doing. A few more years, I think, for me. Hopefully, you know, with a title contender in the future.”
[…]
Asked if he still believes in the chance to be a three-time champion, Alonso added: “I’ve always believed it’s possible, that’s why I keep racing.
“Obviously, you know the challenge is huge, you know you have to overcome some difficulties, some of the top teams are at the top of the sport right now, but I race every day and I train every day. day with the thought that a third title is possible. “
And so while the three greatest F1 drivers could be contested forever – for my money, it’s Lewis Hamilton, Fangio and Ayrton Senna, in that order – Alonso will almost certainly make the top. 10, if also because in a different timeline he could have won more than that. If Alonso goes on and wins a third title in his 40s, we’ll have to talk about him more, because, for better or worse, he’s trying to do something few modern drivers do. have a chance to complete, much less stress.
