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Alonso Stands Firm: “The Paddock Knows Who the Top Drivers Are”
You know, there’s always noise in Formula 1. Outside voices. People with opinions who aren’t in the cockpit, who only see the headlines or the standings, who glance at a few numbers and assume they know everything about what makes a great driver. But Fernando Alonso? He’s not fazed. At 43, after two decades in the sport, he knows exactly who he is — and more importantly, he knows the paddock knows it too.
Coming off his second points finish of the 2025 season at the Canadian Grand Prix, Alonso isn’t pretending this has been an ideal year. It’s been tough — no doubt. Just eight points after nine races. But if there’s one thing about Alonso, it’s that he doesn’t measure his worth by a single result. “Others get frustrated finishing fifth,” he said. “But I’ve had seasons where I blew up 13 engines or got knocked out in Q1 over and over. This sport tests you in every way, and I’ve always had to be mentally strong.”
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That kind of experience gives him perspective. When people question whether it’s time for him to retire, he doesn’t flinch. “Those are outside voices,” he says plainly. “Inside the paddock, ask anyone who the five best drivers are — they know. Instantly.” There’s a sharp truth in that. Statistics tell one story, but respect in the paddock, that tells another. And Alonso, even without a win since 2013, is still a name whispered with reverence when it comes to raw talent and racecraft.
He’s still hungry. Still curious. Silverstone — Aston Martin’s home race — is circled on his calendar. It’s not just nostalgia. It’s anticipation. He wants to see how the upgraded AMR25 performs through those legendary high-speed corners. Canada and Spain gave him a taste of momentum. Now he wants more.
And as for the big question — retirement — he’s not setting any timelines. “The stopwatch will tell me,” Alonso says. Not a journalist. Not a critic on social media. Not even a legacy stat sheet. He’ll keep going as long as the fire’s there, as long as the lap times hold up, and as long as he wakes up on race day with the same drive that’s kept him in this sport for over 20 years.
He knows the end will come eventually — maybe in 2026 when F1 resets with new cars and engines. But right now? He’s still pushing, still fighting, still smiling when the lights go out. That’s what elite looks like in this sport. And Fernando Alonso, whether he wins another race or not, still wears that badge proudly.
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