"Fernando Alonso is still here, he's competitive": 2x F1 champion claims to be the 'link' between two generations of fans

Two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso claims to be the driver who formed a link between the older and newer Formula 1 fans. He also stated that his performance with Aston Martin in 2023 drew more people towards him, who previously only heard him in stories.

The Spaniard is the oldest driver on the grid, both age and experience-wise. He debuted with Minardi in 2001 and after a short sabbatical has continued to race. His 2023 campaign with Aston Martin showcased that he still has the fuel and capabilities to challenge others for victory.

With his amazing skillset and magnetic personality, Fernando Alonso has gained fans all through the years. He stated that his fan following is a mix between the old and the new generation.

"I see a mix of generations, who are supporting me and interested in Formula 1," Alonso said. "I see them at airports, on the streets, at the circuit, in my museum. In any sport, it is very difficult to find an athlete who has this connection with two different generations of fans."

"There are people who followed me in the 2000s, who saw me win the two World Championships and now, their sons, their daughters, are also watching Formula 1 and supporting me, they are watching their races with their parents. It's incredible to think that I am that link , the connection between them in terms of their passion for the sport. It's a beautiful story."

Fernando Alonso also claims that the younger generation heard about him through stories that their parents told them. However, he now feels that his performance in the 2023 season served as a wake-up call for the generation.

"I think the younger generation saw me as a bit old , because I'm sure their parents told them about my titles, my victories with Renault, McLaren and Ferrari. When you're 12, 13, it's like: 'OK, OK, I don't want to hear about this kind of thing, the present is different, it's other drivers who win now, you're living in the past'," he added.

"Last year was a wake-up call for the younger generations. Suddenly, it was like: 'this Fernando Alonso is still here, he's competitive and I want to support him. What my parents said about him has to be true'. The good thing about 2023 was also all those podiums alongside Aston Martin, it was like we changed a new generation of fans, we reached a younger generation , who came through Netflix," Fernando Alonso concluded.

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Fernando Alonso reveals he 'texted' Adrian Newey to join Aston Martin

Earlier this season, Adrian Newey announced his split with Red Bull. F1's aero wizard will no longer be a part of the team he has worked with for the last 18 seasons in 2025.

While he was speculated to be in contact with multiple teams, Fernando Alonso felt the need for him to join the squad at Aston Martin. He recently revealed that he contacted the team owner Lawrence Stroll regarding the same, and went as far as to contact Newey himself.

"I was hoping Adrian would join when he decided to stop with his previous team," Alonso said. "To start with, you dream that it can be a possibility. There were a couple of rumours that he was joining different teams and I was asking Lawrence, I was asking Martin Whitmarsh, I was asking various people in the team if we had contacted Adrian."

"I even ended up contacting him. I have his phone number and texted him: ‘What a surprise. If you ever think you would like a new challenge, I would love to work with you one day.'"

Earlier in September, Aston Martin signed Adrian Newey. He will start working with the team in 2025 and is expected to have a major impact on their performance in 2026 with the new regulations.