Formula 1 veteran Fernando Alonso suggests that the responsibility for the challenges faced by newcomers in securing spots on the grid should fall on the sport itself, rather than on the teams or aging drivers. At 42, Alonso, the oldest current driver, is rumored to potentially move from Aston Martin to Mercedes in 2025, filling Lewis Hamilton’s soon-to-be-vacated position.
Despite ongoing speculation, Alonso remains cryptic about his future, even hinting at the possibility of retiring. On the Formula For Success podcast, Eddie Jordan remarked, “He’s bought a new boat,” a move often associated with retirement, leading to speculation about Alonso’s plans.
Aston Martin expresses a strong desire to retain Alonso beyond the current year, should he opt against retirement. This commitment comes amid criticisms from former driver Ralf Schumacher, who suggests that experienced drivers like Alonso contribute to the bottleneck effect hindering rookie entries into F1. Schumacher clarified his stance, saying, “I have nothing against Fernando,” but expressing concern about F1’s aging grid.
David Dicker, head of Rodin Cars and backer of young driver hopeful Liam Lawson, also voices concerns about stagnation within F1 teams, questioning the limited number of drivers capable of winning the world championship if given the best car. He emphasizes the importance of performance and the need for teams to refresh their lineups more frequently.
Alonso refutes the idea that veteran drivers or team selection processes are to blame, instead criticizing the restrictive testing limitations in F1. He highlights the financial advantage of larger teams conducting private tests for Formula 2 drivers in older cars, though he acknowledges this isn’t enough for proper preparation. Alonso points out the strain of the race calendar on team resources, making it challenging to establish dedicated test teams for nurturing new talent.
Alonso argues that the limited pre-season testing significantly hampers rookies’ ability to adapt, with only one and a half days of testing available before the season begins. This, he believes, dissuades team principals from taking risks on young drivers. Alonso calls for attention to these issues, hoping that drivers’ concerns will be addressed within F1.
