Aston Martin a fountain of youth?: Alonso: “Maybe I’ll drive until I’m fifty!”

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Aston Martin-Mercedes has presented its new, overhauled car. But the focus was on the indestructible Spaniard Fernando Alonso (42). In 2024 he will probably be the first driver to break the 400 GP barrier.

The two-time world champion from 2005 and 2006 with Renault and the 32-time GP winner were not tired of the winter. Yes, the fourth-placed 2023 World Cup winner with eight podium places has declared war on youth: “Why shouldn’t I be there at the age of fifty? I feel fitter than ever before!”

What if Alonso leaves?

With the experience of 378 races so far, Alonso is entering his 21st season (he took a two-year break). And Aston Martin needs the Spaniard alongside the owner’s son, Lance Stroll (25,143 World Cup races).

The question: How long will Alonso stay in the green team, which will switch to the Honda engine in 2026? If the long-running favorite leaves at some point (perhaps even to a top team), a good replacement pilot will be needed. And these have long been found in other cars.

The three oldest world champions

Alonso: “It’s great how our team has developed the new car in just a few months in our own technical center. Maybe we can even improve from 5th place in the World Cup!”

The Iberian has probably given up on his title dreams. Even though only three drivers were over 40 when they won their World Championship crown: Giuseppe Farina (43, It) in 1950 in an Alfa Romeo, Jack Brabham (40, Aus) in 1966 in a Brabham and of course Juan Manuel Fangio. The Argentinian, born in 1911, had more than four decades of life experience with all his five titles (1951 for Alfa Romeo, 1954 for Maserati/Mercedes, 1955 for Mercedes, 1956 for Ferrari and 1957 for Maserati).

Great honor for woman from Zurich (17)

The presentation also put a Swiss woman in the spotlight: Tina Hausmann (17) from Küsnacht ZH. The current Formula 4 champion in Italy and Europe has been accepted into the women’s academy of the Silverstone team.

And technical director Dan Fallows (50, joined from Red Bull) revealed: “The underside is the biggest area for downforce generation, and not just for us. If you can get this damn thing under control, that’s the path to success!”

Source : Blick