Fernando Alonso is now the second driver having competed in the most F1 races after breaking Michael Schumacher’s record. The driver from Asturias achieved the feat at the JapaneseGP on the 7th of Octobre, at the Suzuka circuit. Alonso completed his 308th Great Circus’ race at the legendary Japanese track, the same to have witnessed some of the glorious moments of legends such as Ayrton Senna or seven-time world champion Schumacher. Above Alonso stands only the Bazilian driver, Rubens Barrichello, with a grand total of 323 races throughout his 19 seasons in F1. ‘El Nano’ will finish the current season just 11 races away from the Sao Paulo’s record holder.

More specifically, Alonso has broken this record on his 90th race with McLaren at the Suzuka track where he finished 14th from an 18th starting position.

Other records from Alonso

It is obvious that the Spaniard is not done extending his list of achievements at the end of a brilliant career in F1. It feels as if Alonso wants to break all the records at hand as he prepares to say goodbye to F1 for good and venture into new sporting challenges next season.

At this years’ AustrianGP on the 1st of July, he also broke another record. The Spaniard became the driver having raced the most kilometres in F1, a total of 81.394, as well as the one who has finished the most GPs, 238, topping the omnipresent Schumacher in both instances.

The poor performance of his McLaren 

Unfortunately for Alonso, the second driver having competed in the most F1 races, his latest achievements are merely statistical as he has been unable to get any joy on the track.

The poor performance of his McLaren in the later years has prevented the twice-champion from even aspiring to some otherwise well-deserved podium positions.

It is well known that the orange cars are currently some of the worse on the grid, and not only can not fight for the top positions but struggle among the middle bunch. Unfortunately, things are unlikely to change in the four races that are left till the end of the season; the USGP (Austin), the MexicanGP (Hermanos Rodriguez), the BrazilianGP (Interlagos) and the UAEGP in Abu Dabi (Yas Marina).

Statistics and new challenges 

Alonso has competed in 17 Formula1 seasons, in which he has accrued a total of 32 triumphs, 97 podiums, 22 poles, 23 fastest laps and two crowns in 2005 and 2006.

During this time he has raced 17 times with the Minardi Scuderia, 105 with Renault, 96 with Ferrari and 90 with McLaren.

Besides his F1 commitments, the Spaniard is also participating on this Sunday’s 6 Hours of Fuji with the Toyota GAZOO RACING team. This is the fourth of the nine races that make up the World Endurance Championship in its 2018/2019 Super Season and where the Spaniard has a real chance of winning. Currently (and despite being disqualified at the 6 Hours of Silverstone), he tops the standings for his victories at the 6 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of LeMans.

It seems that one of Alonso’s main goals is to become one of the most complete drivers in history, and with this in mind, he is also hoping to get the Triple Crown. This is an honorary title given to those drivers who manage to win three legendary races, the MonacoGP, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 500 Miles of Indianapolis. This great feat has only been achieved by Briton Graham Hill and Alonso is two thirds into replicating it with just the American race to go.

Alonso, the second driver having competed in the most F1 races, hopes to enter the Olimpo of Motorsports and (almost) nobody has any doubt that he will.

Photo: Libertad digital