Alonso backed to beat more records as Spaniard gets set to topple Raikkonen mark in Singapore

By Sports Desk September 30, 2022

Fernando Alonso will make a record 351st start when he competes in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix – and his first Formula One boss believes there are many more to come.

Gian Carlo Minardi was managing director of the Minardi team when a young Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001, on the road to becoming a double world champion.

Those titles came in 2005 and 2006 at Renault, whom Alonso joined after only one year with Minardi, and he has missed only two seasons since, sitting out 2019 and 2020 when scratching an itch to compete in other motorsport events.

This weekend he will beat a record previously held by Kimi Raikkonen, who contested 350 grands prix, with Alonso competing for Alpine ahead of an end-of-season switch to Aston Martin.

Minardi told Stats Perform he is confident the 41-year-old Alonso will remain a strong presence on the grid for years to come.

"I recently met him in Monza, and he was very excited," Minardi said. "I would say he doesn't look 41 from an athletic point of view, so I guess he is very fit and keen to prove who he is, and with his new contract he will beat other records not easily reachable for other drivers."

Alonso can also beat the record of the most F1 races finished this weekend, another mark he shares with Raikkonen on 278.

Minardi recalled first getting to know Alonso in 1999, with F1 tests for the youngster soon following in Jerez, where his performance levels were "jaw-dropping".

According to Minardi, Alonso had the ability to win "more than five world titles" and ranks as "one of the drivers who made the difference in the last two generations".

Ahead of another move, as the drive with Aston Martin awaits, Minardi said: "Let's hope that this change – because one of Fernando's weaknesses is that he has always been unlucky when changing the team – is beneficial to him and Aston Martin can equip him with what Aston Martin had at their debut.

"Today, without a reason and despite their Mercedes engine, they struggle to get the results they did some years ago.

"So I wish him the best to watch him entertain us. That is what I told him... I still have fun watching you drive, so keep it up."

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    Lewis Hamilton revelled in finishing "on a high" with Mercedes as the seven-time world champion bid an emotional farewell to his Formula One team.

    Hamilton brought an end to his 12-year spell with Mercedes after a fourth-placed finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

    The 39-year-old, in his final race before joining Ferrari next year, started 16th on the grid but produced an impressive performance to end what had been a challenging season.

    "It has been probably the longest year of my life, knowing from the beginning I was leaving," Hamilton said.

    "It's like a relationship that you've told whoever the counterpart is you're leaving but you're living together for a year. Lots of ups and downs but we finished on a high.

    "We've definitely had ups and downs but what's come through is there has been real love."

    Hamilton, who finished seventh in the drivers' championship, passed Mercedes team-mate George Russell before climbing out of his car to savour an emotional outing.

    "Each moment I have known it was one of the last and it has been really clear and really hard to let go," Hamilton said.

    "When I stopped the car. I wanted to embrace the moment. Representing Mercedes has been the greatest moment of my life.

    "Just giving thanks, my own spirit for not giving up, everyone the power to have built that car. I am proud of everyone."

    Hamilton triumphed in two races this year, his first wins since 2021, when he lost out on the world title in controversial circumstances to Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

    Ferrari awaits the F1 great, and soon-to-be colleague Charles Leclerc cannot wait to work with Hamilton, though is sad to lose team-mate Carlos Sainz.

    "Lewis has achieved so much in the sport and it will be a big motivation," Leclerc said. "For now though, I'm thinking about the past year and the past years I've done with Carlos.

    "We have had an amazing relationship. We have pushed each other. I really hoped we could finish these four years with the Constructors' Championship.

    "Obviously now the disappointment is here and I will have four or five days to reset then think about next year."

  • McLaren chief Brown hails 'flawless' Norris after title-clinching Abu Dhabi triumph McLaren chief Brown hails 'flawless' Norris after title-clinching Abu Dhabi triumph

    McLaren chief executive Zak Brown lauded Lando Norris' "flawless" drive at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

    Norris led from pole on Sunday, and his won ensured McLaren triumphed in the Formula One Constructors' Championship for the first time since 1998.

    McLaren needed Norris to keep his cool under pressure from Carlos Sainz, who finished second in his final race for Ferrari.

    Sainz's team-mate Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, charged up from 19th to finish third, while Norris' fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri did well to finish in the points following a collision with Max Verstappen on the first corner.

    Yet Norris' win was enough to see McLaren finish 14 points clear of Ferrari in the final standings.

    "That was the worst two hours of my life, by far," Brown told Sky Sports.

    "Lando drove brilliantly. Unfortunate what happened to Oscar at the start, but the team was flawless. They executed the pit stop great.  I think I was the only one who was ready to have a heart attack for about two hours.

    "That race, [Lando] carried us. To not make any mistakes, and we were worried about safety cars, I was worried about everything, and he drove flawlessly.

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    Norris, who finished second in the driver standings behind Verstappen, declared on the team's radio that next season would be his year, and Brown sees no reason why the Briton cannot clinch the title in 2025.

    "He's going to give it all he's got, and given the momentum he's on, I wouldn't bet against him," said Brown.

    Speaking at the post-race presentation, Norris said: "It feels incredible. Not for myself but for the whole team. They have done an amazing job from where we were at the beginning.

    "I'm so proud of everyone. It's been a lovely journey. To end the season like this is perfect.

    "For us to win the Constructors' Championship after 26 years is pretty special. We are going to celebrate. This is a historic moment for the team. It's going to be a good night!"

    Piastri, who like Norris was not even born when McLaren last won the Constructors' Championship, also had to deal with a time penalty after he clipped Franco Colapinto in a chaotic opening to the race.

    The Australian drove brilliantly to finish in the top 10, though, and revealed that Verstappen subsequently apologised for the early collision that threatened to derail McLaren's hopes.

    "It was a pretty miserable race but the biggest thing today was we clinched the championship," he said.

    "It's a massive credit to everyone at McLaren for what they have achieved this year. Couldn't be prouder of them all. 

    "Very, very happy with the year's work. Nice to seal the deal.

    "[Verstappen] came and apologised straight away and the stewards deemed it was a penalty.

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    Lando Norris won from pole at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to ensure McLaren won the Formula One Constructors' Championship.

    McLaren knew a victory on Sunday would ensure their first title since 1998, and despite a dramatic start, Norris ultimately got the job done as he led through the entire 58 laps.

    Norris held off the Ferrari's of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, with the latter charging up from 19th to claim a podium finish.

    Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, capped off his Mercedes career - before he replaces Sainz at Ferrari - in style, flying up from 16th to finish fourth, ahead of his team-mate George Russell, who gave way to the seven-time world champion on the final lap.

    A chaotic first corner caused plenty of concern for McLaren, as Oscar Piastri was clipped by four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen.

    Piastri spun off the track and returned with plenty of ground to make up on the rest of the field, and matters were made even more complicated for the Australian when he received a penalty for colliding with Franco Colapinto.

    Verstappen was penalised too, for causing that early clash with Piastri.

    It was a poor day for Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez, who was potentially making his final appearance for Red Bull.

    He bowed out after less than one lap, after a collision with Valtteri Bottas, who himself was forced to retire later on, potentially bringing the curtain down on his F1 career, with the Finn expected to be a reserve driver next season at Mercedes.

    Yet despite the drama behind him, and the brilliant drive from Leclerc that applied even more pressure, Norris kept his cool at the front, never offering an opportunity to Sainz, who occupied second throughout.

    "You all deserve this. Thank you so much. It's been a special year. Next year is going to be my year too," said Norris over the team radio after he crossed the finish line, with McLaren winning the title by 14 points.

    Data Debrief: McLaren make their mark

    Norris and Piastri were not even born when McLaren last won a team title, while the 26 years since that last victory is the longest such gap in F1 history. It is the first time since 2009 that a team other than Mercedes or Red Bull have won the championship.

    Hamilton, meanwhile, drew the curtain down on his spectacular Mercedes career with one last hurrah.

    During his time with the team, he set the records for the most wins (105), most pole positions (104) and podium finishes (202). However, he did finish a season outside of the top six for the first time in his career.

    It was a great effort from Ferrari, who were always up against it this weekend, especially after Leclerc was handed a 10-place penalty for a battery change. He at least charged back to finish on the podium for the 13th time in 2024.

    Top 10

    1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

    2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

    3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

    4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

    5. George Russell (Mercedes)

    6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

    7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

    8. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

    9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

    10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

    CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

    Drivers'

    1. Max Verstappen - 437 (C)

    2. Lando Norris - 374

    3. Charles Leclerc - 356

    Constructors'

    1. McLaren - 666

    2. Ferrari - 652

    3. Red Bull - 589

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