When was the last time Fernando Alonso won a race or finished on the podium?
Having only recently joined Aston Martin, the Spanish two-time world champion is hoping to get back to winning ways following a lengthy dry spell.
With the 2023 Formula 1 season about to commence, we’re taking a look at one of the best drivers of the modern era, the man they call ‘teflonso,’ Fernando Alonso. Yet, it’s been difficult over the last decade for the Spaniard with just one win in that time, but when and where was it? Let’s find out.
When did Fernando Alonso last win a F1 race?
If you follow Formula 1, it’s highly unlikely that you don’t know the name of Fernando Alonso. Indeed, the 41-year-old Spaniard turned himself into a household name in 2005 and 2006 when he won two consecutive titles with Renault. To date, he’s got 32 wins to his name which places him at sixth on the all-time list with the last one coming in 2013 at the Spanish Grand Prix, the same year that he finished as runner-up in the championship while driving with Ferrari. He would later move to Mclaren in 2015, but the move which involved a partnership with Honda resulted in disaster. Following his three-year debacle, he would actually leave Formula 1 at the end of the 2018 season for a period of almost three years, during which time he won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice, competed in the Dakar Rally and the Indianapolis 500.
When was the last time Fernando Alonso took the podium?
In 2021 Alonso returned to Formula 1, joining the now renamed Renault team. Fearing he might never stand on the podium again, he brought a renewed energy with him and finally, his commitment paid off on Sunday 21st, November 2021 at the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix. With a third-place finish at the Losail circuit for Renault-owned Alpine, Alonso was even voted as driver of the day as he stepped onto the podium for the first time in seven years. Indeed, the previous time before his moment in Qatar was back in 2014, when he finished second in Hungary while driving for Ferrari. If you’re wondering, Alonso’s seven-year gap is the longest in the sport’s history. To put it in perspective, his finish in Hungary occurred before Max Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut.
“Finally. We were very close on a few occasions and I was just wondering if I will get one podium again in my career, or not,” said Alonso at the time. “You never know what is going to happen next year. I’m happy that we took this one and let’s see if we can keep the momentum for next year.” Now with Aston Martin, the 2023 calendar awaits. Can Alonso taste victory again, or at the least enjoy a moment on the podium? Watch this space.