2024 will mark Fernando Alonso’s 21st season as a full-time driver in Formula 1. The Spaniard made his debut as a fresh faced 19-year-old at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix, alongside fellow debutant and future World Champion Kimi Räikkönen.
After a two-year break from F1 to go and compete in the World Endurance Championship, Alonso made his return to the sport in 2021. It’s the fourth season of his comeback, and he is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
The two-time F1 World Champion finished an excellent 4th in the standings last year, behind the two Red Bulls and Lewis Hamilton. He bagged an impressive eight podiums.
Speaking before the launch of the AMR24, Alonso was asked whether he could carry on racing in Formula 1 for a few more years yet.
He believes it’s possible to continue on until he’s 50 following physical tests and other stuff he did during this winter break, but Alonso is unsure if he’ll still be around until 2031 due to the demanding nature of the calendar and other things he wants to explore in life.
“The number for the future and keep racing, I don’t know.
“A few years ago, I would say that maybe 42 or 41 was the limit. Now, after I saw myself last year, motivated and performing well, I was thinking maybe that I can keep racing a few more years.
“Now, this winter, I’ve been exceeding a little bit the expectations in terms of all the physical tests and everything that I did.
“So I would say that if you are motivated and if you want to commit, you can drive maybe until 48 or 49 or whatever, or even 50.
“But at the same time, you have to give up everything in life. Formula One needs total dedication.
“This is my 24th season in F1, and I gave my life for 24 years to this sport, which I’m happy and I’m OK with that. I can keep doing it for a few more years, but I don’t know if I will be racing until 50 with such a demanding calendar and things like that.
“Not for the abilities, but because there are other things in life that I’m curious about.”
The 2024 campaign will see Sergio Perez embarking on his 14th in the sport.
The Mexican is sure, however, that he will not be racing in the pinnacle of Motorsport until he’s 50.
“No, I don’t see myself racing for that long.”
On the subject of Alonso, the 6-time Grand Prix winner believes the Spaniard will “probably” race until 50 due to his energy levels and incredible motivation.
With athletes looking after themselves better than ever and the rapid advancement in sports science, the possibility of drivers racing well into their 40s and potentially 50s in F1 cannot be ruled out.
“Fernando is a great example of power regeneration in terms of motivation.
“Formula 1 is different to other sports. It’s a motivation sport. It’s having the will of travelling the world throughout the year.
“If you have that motivation and you take care of yourself, of your body, we are all very professional, so that’s not a limitation.
“It’s all about the motivation you have when you get to those ages.”
Alonso’s “power regeneration” will “probably” see him racing in F1 until he’s 50, says Perez
