Fernando Alonso

The only driver to win both Formula One and the World Endurance Championship titles.

Fernando Alonso Díaz is a Spanish racing driver competing for Aston Martin, born on 29 July 1981. He secured two Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, becoming the first Spanish champion and the youngest at age 24. With 32 Grand Prix wins across 23 seasons, he also achieved a unique double by winning both the F1 title and the FIA World Endurance Championship. His career includes two Le Mans victories with Toyota, a Daytona win in 2019, and a record-breaking 400th Grand Prix start in 2024.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Fernando Alonso Díaz

Born

29 July 1981

Birthplace

Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

Partners

Lara Álvarez (2014–2016)
Linda Morselli (2016–2021)
Melissa Jiménez (2023–present)

Children

Lore & Background

Born into a working-class family in Oviedo, Alonso began karting at seven after his sister Lorena showed no interest. His father, José Luis, built the first kart and served as mechanic, manager, and accountant, while his mother Ana sewed his racing overalls. Financial struggles meant they could not afford rain tyres, forcing young Fernando to adapt on slicks in wet conditions. He won three successive Spanish Junior Championships from 1993 to 1995 and the CIK-FIA Five Continents Cup in 1996. At age 17, he moved to car racing, winning the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan title with six wins and nine pole positions before finishing fourth in International Formula 3000.

Reader's Guide

Alonso's career is defined by his ability to maximize machinery performance across diverse eras. After a winless 2014 with Ferrari under new engine rules, he joined McLaren-Honda (2015–2018) for limited success before his first retirement to focus on sportscar racing. He won the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship and two Le Mans titles with Toyota, plus the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019. Returning to F1 in 2021 with Alpine, he secured his first podium in seven years at the Qatar Grand Prix and broke the record for most career starts in 2022. Joining Aston Martin in 2023, he achieved several podiums, finishing fourth in the championship and scoring his 100th career podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Did You Know?

He became the first driver in history to contest 400 Grands Prix in 2024.
His father rejected an offer for him to be a goalkeeper for RC Celta de Vigo football club so he could focus on karting.
Alonso entered the Indianapolis 500 three times, in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
He has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005.