Fernando Alonso: The F1 Numbers

The man, the myth, the legend returns, finally, Fernando Alonso is back in Formula 1 for 2021 with Renault and raring to go. The biggest question however still remains, can he score his first win in 8 years with the French squad? 

Whilst the answer to this question mainly relies upon the performance of the 2021 Renault machinery, we decided to look into what Fernando brings to the table for the team, and why with the perfect car, he could prove unstoppable. 

Across his 16 years in Formula 1, Alonso has been a dominant force - first shown in his early years when he became the youngest racer to achieve pole position and a Grand Prix win back in 2003. 

Armed with impressive Renault machinery, Alonso would then take the challenge to the legendary Michael Schumacher, and in turn be crowned champion in 2005, which he would repeat the following year. 

After taking his 2006 title, Alonso was the sport’s youngest-ever double world champion, a record not broken until Sebastian Vettel in the early 2010s. 

Regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers in history, his 32 victories place him in sixth on the all-time list, whilst he is also sixth in all-time podium finishes with 97. 

And, in terms of starts, Alonso has racked up an impressive 311, with only Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen ahead of the Spaniard. 

He also just narrowly missed out on three more World Championships, in his first spell with McLaren in 2007 and during his tenure at Ferrari in both 2010 and 2012. 

Alonso’s mind-blowing performance in his less-than-competitive Ferrari earned him the praise and recognition that would see him viewed shoulders above his fellow drivers in terms of his reputation and ability. 

Following his time at the Maranello squad, Alonso would again return to McLaren but was greeted with an unreliable and an unambitious car that would ultimately result with his departure from the sport. 

He then moved into endurance racing, earning instant success after winning the 2018-2018 World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 2018 and 2019.

He also finished an impressive 13th place on debut in the famed Dakar Rally just last year.

Although, the plaudits don’t stop there, with Alonso having been voted the 2017 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, and a two-time inductee to the FIA Hall of Fame for both Formula 1 & Word Endurance Racing. 

Quite the list of accomplishments for the two-time world champion. 

His return to Renault Formula 1 team makes him the first driver in F1 history to have three separate stints with a single F1 team, having now raced for the Enstone squad between 2003-2006, 2008-2009 and now from 2021 onwards. 

Prior to his return to F1 racing next year, Alonso faces his next biggest challenge, this weekend’s Indy 500, which will be his last chance for a few years to try to complete the Triple Crown. 

His storied career has been filled with stories of his ability to constantly overcome challenges across his time at McLaren, Ferrari and Renault, but can he finally break the “Alonso curse” and achieve the glory he so desperately craves?

Are you excited to see Fernando back in Formula 1? Do you think he can achieve a much longed-for win and podium with Renault? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to like and subscribe to Crash Formula 1.