Jonas LeoFernando Alonso, the Aston Martin driver, delivered a remarkable performance in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, securing a starting position of fourth on the grid. This achievement, his highest starting spot of the current season, underscored the two-time world champion’s enduring skill and strategic depth amidst a challenging period for his team, even as questions surrounding his longevity in Formula 1 persist. The 44-year-old Spaniard will begin Saturday’s sprint ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who qualified sixth, and directly behind the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, and Mercedes’ George Russell.
The context of Alonso’s ongoing presence and performance in Formula 1 has recently been framed by McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who, during an appearance on The Sports Agent podcast, likened Max Verstappen to an unshakeable antagonist in a horror film. Brown’s comments were made in the context of the anticipated 2025 F1 title battle, initially perceived as an internal McLaren contest between Piastri and Norris, before Verstappen’s late-season resurgence repositioned him as a formidable contender. If Verstappen embodies an unyielding force, then Alonso, a former McLaren colleague, presents a different kind of motorsport phenomenon – a driver whose extensive career history and continued competitiveness at 44 years of age make him an unparalleled figure in the sport.
Alonso’s career statistics paint a vivid picture of his remarkable endurance. He currently holds the record for the most Grand Prix starts, with an astonishing 423 races under his belt, 45 more than second-placed Lewis Hamilton. Now in his 22nd season, having made his debut in 2001, Alonso shows no discernible intention of retiring, a testament to his unwavering passion and competitive drive. This longevity has, however, invited scrutiny and debate throughout the current season, particularly given Aston Martin’s struggles and the 12 years that have passed since his last Grand Prix victory at the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix. Critics have questioned whether the Spaniard is past his prime, citing the team’s difficulties in maintaining the competitive edge they displayed in the early part of the previous season.
Alonso’s sprint qualifying performance in Qatar served as a potent rebuttal to these doubts. Securing fourth place, he not only outpaced his teammate Lance Stroll by a significant 12 positions but also marked his best qualifying result of the 2024 season, surpassing his previous fifth-place starts at Imola, Budapest, and Sao Paulo. This strong showing is particularly noteworthy given the demanding nature of sprint race weekends, which offer limited practice time for car setup and driver adaptation.
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When questioned about the role of his vast experience, Alonso offered a nuanced perspective, acknowledging both its advantages and disadvantages. "Yeah, I mean, 24 years experience, 44-year-old, it has some disadvantages," Alonso stated. He elaborated on the physical toll, noting, "I get a bit more tired with the jet lag and the travelling." This candid admission highlights the physical demands of a gruelling Formula 1 calendar, which involves extensive global travel and intense competition.
However, Alonso was quick to emphasize the substantial benefits accrued from his decades in the sport. "But I know the tracks, I know the tyres, I know the car, I know how to track everything on Friday," he explained. This deep well of knowledge becomes particularly crucial during sprint weekends, where the compressed schedule allows for only a single practice session before qualifying. Drivers must quickly adapt to track conditions, understand tyre behaviour, and fine-tune their car setups with minimal track time. Alonso’s ability to leverage his extensive historical data and intuitive understanding of racing dynamics allows him to extract maximum performance efficiently. His capacity to "track everything on Friday" enables the team to make precise, informed adjustments, even within the parc fermé conditions that restrict major car modifications after qualifying. While minor tweaks are permitted, the foundational setup knowledge is paramount. "Then on Saturday, it’s true that we can open the parc fermé. We do change the car a little bit, minor tweaks, and yeah, everyone seems to get on top of the circuit. But yeah, let’s see, let’s go one step at a time. Let’s do tomorrow, the sprint race, and then into quali [for Sunday’s grand prix]," he added, outlining his pragmatic approach to the weekend.
Alonso’s sustained motivation is particularly admirable given Aston Martin’s current standing. After a promising start to the 2023 season, where Alonso secured eight podium finishes in his debut year with the Silverstone-based squad, the team has faced significant challenges in 2024. Aston Martin currently sits eighth in the Constructors’ Championship standings, a stark contrast to their earlier form. The team has not achieved a podium finish since the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix, placing Alonso in a continuous midfield battle, far removed from the championship contention he experienced in his early career.
Despite these difficulties, Alonso’s commitment to pushing the team forward remains unwavering. A significant factor fuelling this drive is the impending widespread regulation changes set to come into effect in 2026. These alterations, encompassing both chassis and power unit designs, represent a monumental shift in Formula 1 and a potential reset for the competitive order. For a driver like Alonso, who has often demonstrated a keen strategic eye for long-term team potential, these new regulations offer a compelling opportunity.
Alonso himself acknowledged the strategic foresight that has often guided his career decisions. "Maybe back in 2022, the winter after the 2022 season, obviously when I joined Aston Martin, I knew that the team was progressing well that winter and 2023 could be a good season," he reflected, referencing his impactful move from Alpine. This pattern of identifying and aligning with teams poised for upward trajectory is a hallmark of his career. Regarding the 2026 changes, he expressed a similar sense of anticipation. "Now it’s a change of regulations. There are more unknowns now of what the regulations will be, which team will start in a better way. But yeah, I think excited for sure."
The current season, however, remains a priority, despite the long-term outlook. "Also this year, as I said before, it’s tough. We are not really in contention for any big things. So we just want to finish the season in the best way possible – these next two races are important," Alonso stressed. The Constructors’ Championship battle is particularly tight, with several teams separated by narrow margins. "For the constructors’ championship, we are all in five, seven points and we have three opportunities to score points, two here in Qatar, one in Abu Dhabi and we want to outscore the competitors. So yeah, excited, next year is going to be interesting," he concluded.
A strong performance in the Qatar sprint race holds tangible implications for Aston Martin’s constructors’ standings. Currently, the team is in a close fight, with just one point separating them from Haas in seventh place. A positive result could see them leapfrog their rivals. Furthermore, ninth-placed Sauber trails Aston Martin by only four points, meaning every scoring opportunity in the remaining two rounds (Qatar and Abu Dhabi) is critical to consolidate their position and prevent other teams from closing the gap. Alonso’s ability to consistently extract maximum performance, even from a challenging package, remains a vital asset in this fiercely contested midfield battle. His Qatar sprint qualifying result is not merely a personal triumph but a crucial contribution to Aston Martin’s strategic objectives as the 2024 season draws to a close, setting the stage for an anticipated future under new regulations.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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