In terms of a career in Formula 1, few drivers spark as much debate as Fernando Alonso. Between his sometimes controversial team choices and evident bad luck, the question of his record is at the heart of discussions. At the dawn of his 20-year career, his protégé Gabriel Bortoleto provides an intriguing insight into the journey of the two-time world champion.
A Career Full of Hurdles
Just after winning his two world titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, Fernando Alonso joined the McLaren team. After a season where he narrowly missed the crown but mainly witnessed the emergence of the troublesome rookie Lewis Hamilton by his side, he broke his contract to temporarily return to his cocoon at Renault – which was then much less competitive – before arriving at Ferrari in 2010. His time at Scuderia, where he stayed until 2014, allowed him to come close to the title again on two occasions.
Frustrated by the lack of results from Scuderia, he decided in 2015 to relaunch his career with McLaren, in the context of the resurgence of the partnership with Honda. This was followed by three difficult seasons for this alliance, followed by a final season with a Renault engine, before a two-year semi-retirement. His return to Formula 1 took place in 2021 with Alpine, the new identity of the Enstone team. After two seasons in blue, far from the podiums, the Spaniard finally joined Aston Martin, with which he experienced a truly competitive half-season at the beginning of 2023.
A Question of Luck?
The debate surrounding the 44-year-old Spaniard is eternal and resembles the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg: Did Alonso pay the price for poor career choices to explain a relatively limited F1 record – all things considered – or was he simply a victim of bad luck?
For Gabriel Bortoleto, who arrived this year in the championship with Stake Sauber and is mentored by Alonso’s management structure, it is mainly a question of luck: “It’s not a question of talent. You can form an idea, you can think about it, you can make predictions, but you can never know. Maybe you can be wrong. Didn’t Mercedes win eight years in a row? And then there were the new regulations, and they ended up with a completely failed car.”
“So how to choose? You can’t choose. You can only hope that a good team will do good things or not. I think he chose very good teams. He has always been among the top three or four teams. It’s just that he hasn’t had luck. That’s my opinion.”
Alonso, “One of the Greatest Drivers of All Time”
As 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Alonso’s first world title, Bortoleto believes that his mentor deserved a more extensive record: “Absolutely, yes. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest drivers of all time. Unfortunately, that’s how Formula 1 works. You have to be in the right place at the right time. I think there are many talented drivers who haven’t managed to become world champions.”
“Some drivers who have been world champions… I’m not saying they don’t deserve it; they all deserve it. Because if you are a Formula 1 world champion, it means you are a very good driver. But, you know, it’s not a very fair comparison. And I think Fernando deserved many more titles given the way he drove. And he was very close to winning those titles anyway. Always at the last race, from time to time.”
A Promising Future
With his arrival at Aston Martin, Alonso seems to have found a new momentum. The early races of the 2023 season showed that he could still compete with the best. His determination and experience are valuable assets for a team aspiring to be among the championship leaders.
Young talents like Bortoleto also benefit from this valuable experience. The dynamic between mentor and protégé could well give a boost to Alonso’s career while paving the way for a new generation of drivers.
Conclusion: Balancing Luck and Talent
Ultimately, Alonso’s journey is a complex mosaic made up of strategic choices and capricious circumstances. While luck has undeniably played a role, his ability to perform under difficult conditions demonstrates exceptional talent. In any case, his story continues to inspire and provoke questions, and it remains a hot topic within the Formula 1 enthusiast community.
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