272 replies to this topic

[BRG]

So, early retirement is looking a bit less likely then 

Not necessarily.  He might be planning an aviation business, like Niki Lauda did, and he also has to get his other half home to Brazil quite often.  In fact, he may not have time to fit any racing in at all!

[ChickenMaster]

There's a chat going in TNF right now about ageing drivers and it's honestly quite enlightening. If Alonso was a spent force as Kimi towards the end of his career I would agree with you but he clearly isn't. There's no reason to believe Alonso isn't going to have another 3-5 years of F1. It's only really been since the late 1990s that F1 has been a young person's game but before then it wasn't uncommon to have drivers over 40 competing. Given the advances in sports science, training, nutrition etc it's actually surprising there aren't more older drivers in F1. I fully expect that both Alonso and Hamilton will be racing in F1 until the latter part of this decade.

 

I couldn't disagree with you more.

 

The fitness demands of modern F1 are why Fangio's record of the oldest WDC will never be broken.

 

With or without Max going to Aston Martin, I am predicting that 2026 will be Alonso's last year in F1.

 

Alonso is not the driver he once was and would not do better than any of the top drivers in the top 4 teams.

 

I would also be very surprised if Hamilton still has a Ferrari F1 seat in 2027.

[Boxerevo]

I couldn't disagree with you more.

 

The fitness demands of modern F1 are why Fangio's record of the oldest WDC will never be broken.

 

With or without Max going to Aston Martin, I am predicting that 2026 will be Alonso's last year in F1.

 

Alonso is not the driver he once was and would not do better than any of the top drivers in the top 4 teams.

 

I would also be very surprised if Hamilton still has a Ferrari F1 seat in 2027.

It is a good theme.

 

It seems Formula 1 now is easier to the body than it was in the refuel era and lighter cars. You had to be on the limit everytime there.

 

G'Forces got higher with the 2017 reg, but they nurse much more the car on stints.

 

The main problem being older now, like some people said is motivation. Motivation to learn and adapt to new cars, to learn "everything from zero" again.

 

A new guy is naturally hungrier and he only knows this type of a Formula 1 car.

 

I really don't know the age now that they simply can't do it anymore, in competitive terms. Probably is 45+

 

I wouldn't discard, a motivated, Alonso. If they give him a beast car, he will get the motivation to be the best he can be at his age.

Edited by Boxerevo, 07 February 2025 - 15:55.

[loki]

Points for the new guy profile with Kentucky chicken.     Sir Lew of Croydon is in the “let’s do the Ferrari thing before I retire stage” with Fred hanging on to F1 as long as he can.  I admire the spunk and tenacity.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Points for the new guy profile with Kentucky chicken.     Sir Lew of Croydon is in the “let’s do the Ferrari thing before I retire stage” with Fred hanging on to F1 as long as he can.  I admire the spunk and tenacity.

 

A finger lickin' first post.

[garoidb]

It is a good theme.

 

It seems Formula 1 now is easier to the body than it was in the refuel era and lighter cars. You had to be on the limit everytime there.

 

G'Forces got higher with the 2017 reg, but they nurse much more the car on stints.

 

The main problem being older now, like some people said is motivation. Motivation to learn and adapt to new cars, to learn "everything from zero" again.

 

A new guy is naturally hungrier and he only knows this type of a Formula 1 car.

 

I really don't know the age now that they simply can't do it anymore, in competitive terms. Probably is 45+

 

I wouldn't discard, a motivated, Alonso. If they give him a beast car, he will get the motivation to be the best he can be at his age.

 

I'm not blind to the effects of age either, and the new cars could expose older drivers in 2026. For Fernando and Lewis, though, some of the new car characteristics are ones they have excelled with, and distinguished themselves with, before. The experience may actually be valuable and the adaptation required less than for some others.

[RedRabbit]

They're just driving cars. It's not the racing that's the real issue we don't see older drivers. They start in their teens or very very early 20s.

Imagine 20+ years of constant travel to race tracks, 20+ times a year. That's the exhausting part and why so many drivers are ok to retire late 30s.

[Lennat]

I do think Alonso may have had a bit of bad luck at Alpine, but also firmly believe 2012 Alonso would simply have dominated Ocon, which 2021/2022 Alonso obviously didn't do.

To claim Alonso and Lewis are still performing at their peak undermines just how freaking good they once were. Does anyone truly and fully believe a 2014 or something spec Lewis wouldn't have had a clear edge on Russel? If not, Russel is already one of the GOATs, or Lewis was never a GOAT to begin with.

When was the last time a 40+ driver actually performed consistently at the HIGHEST level IN F1?

[kumo7]

I couldn't disagree with you more.

 

The fitness demands of modern F1 are why Fangio's record of the oldest WDC will never be broken.

 

With or without Max going to Aston Martin, I am predicting that 2026 will be Alonso's last year in F1.

 

Alonso is not the driver he once was and would not do better than any of the top drivers in the top 4 teams.

 

I would also be very surprised if Hamilton still has a Ferrari F1 seat in 2027.

 

Generally, I can agree, but in the specific case of Fernando Alonso, this is not the case.

His will to train for overcoming his physical condition and him actually doing it, does give him an exceptional carrier. 

[ChickenMaster]

Generally, I can agree, but in the specific case of Fernando Alonso, this is not the case.

His will to train for overcoming his physical condition and him actually doing it, does give him an exceptional carrier. 

 

I like Alonso and hope the Aston Martin improves and gives him a chance of winning another race, but I can't help but feel that Lance is making him look better than he currently is, and that is why he appears to be relatively age defying.

[Benchulo]

I like Alonso and hope the Aston Martin improves and gives him a chance of winning another race, but I can't help but feel that Lance is making him look better than he currently is, and that is why he appears to be relatively age defying.

I think it's fair to assume Stroll has improved as a driver since his time as a teammate to Perez. If you compare how Stroll faired against Perez and a 34-35 year old Vettel in qualifying and race pace, it indicates how good Alonso is at the age of 43.

Edited by Benchulo, 08 February 2025 - 06:31.

[garoidb]

I like Alonso and hope the Aston Martin improves and gives him a chance of winning another race, but I can't help but feel that Lance is making him look better than he currently is, and that is why he appears to be relatively age defying.

 

I think we have to ignore Lance. I would like to see Fernando up against another team-mate too but its likely they would also be an unknown quantity of some kind (too young and inexperienced, hampered by some aspect of the rules or the car, in premature decline, long over the hill etc). Some feel that others are rating Fernando too high, not accounting for Lance's low level. Others might feel that any speed Fernando shows is being too easily dismissed by just downrating Lance a bit more. For me, it's his racecraft and consistency that would indicate whether he is losing his level. If he stops being Fernando, in other words. 

Edited by garoidb, 08 February 2025 - 07:11.

[absinthedude]

I started watching in late 1998, so basically only have two seasons before Alonso started. Pre-Alonso days do feel ancient to me, but pre-Verstappen era feels like 19 minutes ago, even though he isn't even that young anymore.

 

Hehe I started watching in 1978. I still remember the impact Senna made in the Toleman. And yes, somehow Max seems like he arrived just a couple of years ago. Not a decade ago. Time really does go faster as you get older. 

[PlatenGlass]

But also the likely passing from Alonso to Verstappen as most experienced driver in a short amount of time isn't just weird because we're all old now. They started 14 years apart so it could be seen as a bit of a statistical anomaly.

[Risil]

Yes, 14 years is quite a long time for a human being.

The calendar is 50% longer than it was when Alonso started so you do rack up those Grand Prix starts at a faster rate as well.

[kumo7]

I like Alonso and hope the Aston Martin improves and gives him a chance of winning another race, but I can't help but feel that Lance is making him look better than he currently is, and that is why he appears to be relatively age defying.

Lance, isn’t as bad as his haters wants to put it. And Alonso is an incredible driver. Lance can be WDC if he can beat Alonso.

[JimmyClark]

I think if Lance is closer to Alonso this year than last year, then it is a show that Alonso is declining. This will be Stroll's 9th year in F1, so he should be at his peak for a few years, not improving.

I agree he's not as bad as people say and fully deserves his place on the grid, but I don't think he will ever get better than he currently is.

[absinthedude]

Yes, 14 years is quite a long time for a human being.

The calendar is 50% longer than it was when Alonso started so you do rack up those Grand Prix starts at a faster rate as well.

 

 

Graham Hill held the record for most grand prix starts at 176 from 1974 through to Riccardo Patrese eventually breaking it in 1990 if memory serves. Patrese was also the first to crack 200 grand prix starts. Now the calendar is getting so big that anyone with a career of 8 years or so in the future will have a chance at 200 grands prix.

[Collombin]

Graham Hill held the record for most grand prix starts at 176 from 1974 through to Riccardo Patrese eventually breaking it in 1990 if memory serves

Laffite was supposed to surpass it of course, then broke his legs at Brands in the race where he equalled Hill's 176.

Nowadays we are told by some sites that our memory was wrong, that Hill only made 175 starts. I'm guessing this is down to ignoring the 1958 German GP because Hill was in the F2 class.

[absinthedude]

Laffite was supposed to surpass it of course, then broke his legs at Brands in the race where he equalled Hill's 176.

Nowadays we are told by some sites that our memory was wrong, that Hill only made 175 starts. I'm guessing this is down to ignoring the 1958 German GP because Hill was in the F2 class.

 

I think so. I'll take The Grand Prix Data Book's take on it. 176 grand prix starts for Hill. I remember watching Brands 86, I was quite heartbroken because I liked Jacques. 

[Ultravox]

I do think Alonso may have had a bit of bad luck at Alpine, but also firmly believe 2012 Alonso would simply have dominated Ocon, which 2021/2022 Alonso obviously didn't do.

To claim Alonso and Lewis are still performing at their peak undermines just how freaking good they once were. Does anyone truly and fully believe a 2014 or something spec Lewis wouldn't have had a clear edge on Russel? If not, Russel is already one of the GOATs, or Lewis was never a GOAT to begin with.

When was the last time a 40+ driver actually performed consistently at the HIGHEST level IN F1?

 

He is not at his peak but you could argue he was still rusty in 2021/22 when he came back into the sport, and is now driving better.

[AustinF1]

I couldn't disagree with you more.

 

The fitness demands of modern F1 are why Fangio's record of the oldest WDC will never be broken.

 

With or without Max going to Aston Martin, I am predicting that 2026 will be Alonso's last year in F1.

 

Alonso is not the driver he once was and would not do better than any of the top drivers in the top 4 teams.

 

I would also be very surprised if Hamilton still has a Ferrari F1 seat in 2027.

Huh. Seems like he's not too bad then. 

[kumo7]

nobody can be the one who once was, biologically, men are regeneration himself all the time.
Never the less, Fernando Alonso still is an wolf when it comes to scoring what he can. Newey should make small change to 2025 car, something to experiment, to see what s wolf Alonso still is.