It’s been 22 years since Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 debut

22 years have passed. This Saturday, at first Grand Prix of the 2023 Formula 1 seasonwherein Alonso and his fans are once again dreaming for Aston Martin’s amazing step forward With the start of his project with the Asturian, it is the 22nd anniversary of the Spaniard’s debut in Formula 1. It was said as soon as possible. In between there was two world titles (2005 and 2006), 356 Grand Prix, 32 victories, 22 pole positions, 98 podiums, 23 fastest laps and the absolute record of 20 seasons in F1, something that no one has done. History. But the best thing is that, 22 years after competing for the first time in Formula 1 (Australia 2001), the story of Fernando Alonso and Formula 1 continues with the same illusion of victory that he had in his golden years at Renault, a few seasons after his loan debut from the French at Minardi.

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Today March 4, 2023 marks two decades since the day Fernando Alonso showed the careerist he had inside.

come with you Minardi, 19 years old, starting in 19th position with one of the worst cars on the grid. Before that Grand Prix he was unable to test the car due to the team’s financial problems, which were resolved at the last minute. It’s a miracle that Alonso not only managed to qualify the car for the race, but also that he didn’t do it last. But it was more so that the race saw him battling veteran drivers with immense self-confidence, avoiding any danger in an event full of accidents and exiting the track at increasing speed.

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He achieved an excellent 12th place, and as the legendary journalist of this house, Raymond Blancafort, correctly titled it in Mundo Deportivo on March 5, 2001, 20 years ago, F1 must deliver an “honorary record for Alonso”. He even showed his extreme hunger despite driving an inferior car after a date in which he was penalized finishing 10th for exceeding the speed allowed in the pits.

“We accomplished the goal: finish the race and gain experience. It will be great to see how he fights with Jaguar, Benetton or Arrows. But the 10″ penalty due to the malfunction of the limiter, I lost contact with them”he said after the race, with unusual courage for a youngster his age, making it clear that the race had not been difficult.

“The most difficult thing is to keep an eye on the rear-view mirrors because the regulations force you to immediately give way to those who overtake you and it’s not easy. Somehow, I’m used to looking in the mirror, but until now it’s to keep an eye on what’s following me and not catch me,” he added.

Alonso’s debut, according to Fernando himself

In 2021, the Asturian remembered his debut with Minardi as a complicated weekend. “My debut was with Minardi in 2001, and we couldn’t test the car before Australia. The team was heading for loss, bankruptcy. Paul Stoddart came at the last moment and brought the car to Australia.

“We studied tires on the Wednesday and Thursday of the Grand Prix, and I remember that I came out of the pitlane in the first practice and there was a line of cars at the end of the pit lane, because there was still a red light. . And I almost they crash, because I can’t find the ‘neutral’ button,” he said with a laugh. “That’s not the perfect start!” he exclaimed.