Although Fernando Alonso Had he not returned in 2021 with Alpine, he would already be one of the best drivers in F1 history. If I had never climbed higher platform and had only added points and innings, his record in the division would speak for itself. Even if Aston Martin would never live up to expectations and the Spaniard would never return to the top 3 in a race, his name would remain synonymous with legend. But the Asturian was not satisfied with his farewell in 2018. He wanted more. And honoring his tireless personality, Nano he went on to write his story in letters of gold upon the Formula 1.

TO 22 years old of his debut in the highest category of motorsport, Fernando Alonso continues to rub shoulders with the best and in the race for the relevant positions race by race. In a sport like this where the importance of the machine far exceeds that of the driver, this is a fact that must be taken into account.

Longevity has become a virtue for the Spaniard. After it was done the driver with the most Grands Prix is ​​contestedhas arrived at hundredth podium in his F1 career. A feat that can only be achieved by some of the greatest of all time:

Most podiums in F1 history

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The key numbers in F1 usually don’t tell the whole story. In other words, is the best the one who only won the most or the one who won despite not having the best car? The narrative that marked Fernando Alonso’s career in this sport is now on display with a return in 2023 to the top zone, establishing himself as a regular on the podium.

But How does Fernando Alonso compare to the 100 podiums club in F1? It’s time to look at the books and stat numbers.

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Pedestal ratio

How many races have the top names of the top 100 clubs finished on the podium? This statistic leaves names like Lewis Hamilton (one every 1.6 races), Alain Prost (1.90) and Michael Schumacher (1.98). Because? Because these three drivers always had one of the four fastest cars of their season, in most cases being the best by far.

In the second step it appears Sebastian Vettel with a podium every 2.5 races, contested by two of the most successful teams in this regard in the past decade, such as Red Bull and Ferrari. And on the third step Kimi Raikkonen (3.4) and Fernando Alonso (3.61).

More seasons on the podium

Although, as previously mentioned, results in F1 depend on team performance, there is a fairly visual metric to check Alonso’s level compared to his surroundings.

The Spaniard has played in 20 seasons, more than anyone in history. Well then, in 70% of them (14) he has managed to get on the podium at least once. If one takes into account that between In 2015 and 2018 his best result was 5th place With almost more retirements due to reliability than completed matches, the magnitude of his return to the elite can be better understood

Here’s how Fernando Alonso compares to the rest of the 100 club:

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Platform with different teams

In the variety is the key in favor of Fernando Alonso. Except minardi, with whom he made his debut in F1, a team that usually closes the following classification, the Spaniard has been on the podium for each of the teams he has competed for. The list could be extended, in the interests of fairness, to McLaren Honda/Renaultbecause in his second stage at Woking he did not get higher than fifth due to the lack of competitiveness of the British.

The fact that he has finished on the podium with a total of 5 different teams makes Alonso the second pilot to achieve it level with Rubens Barrichello and Riccardo Patrese and behind only Stirling Moss and John Surtees with 6.

How many teams did the rest of the 100 riders get on the podium with?

Age at which they climbed their last podium

Again, longevity places Fernando Alonso among the greatest in history. At the time, the Spaniard became the youngest rider to reach the podium 21 years, 7 months and 23 days (Malaysia 2003) and in Saudi Arabia ranks as the 19th oldest (41 years, 7 months and 19 days). A number that could well be expanded if he finishes in the top three again, as it stands to reason.

However, of the 18 pilots ahead of him, only two made it 1983. One was Jacques Laffite, aged 42 years and 7 months in 1986, while the other was Michael Schumacher, aged 43 years, 5 months and 21 days at the epic European GP in 2012.

In modern Formula 1, only Fernando Alonso has reached the podium more times after turning 40.

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