Fernando Alonso is the oldest driver on the grid right now, the record holder for most Grand Prix starts and finishes, and the longest Formula One. The second oldest driver on the F1 roster is his old rival, Lewis Hamilton. The two veterans of the sport have had their fair share of battles in the past but have always held each other in high regard.

In an interview with GQ Magazine, Alonso voiced his respect for the Seven times World Champion. The Spaniard spoke about Hamilton’s respectfulness towards his team and factory. Alonso praised Hamilton for his perseverance when he did not have the most dominant car, such as Mclaren from 2010-2013 and Mercedes since 2021. Alonso has shared that experience and said Hamilton’s fighting spirit inspires everyone.

Lewis always did really well to stay focused and competitive in the periods of his life when he didn’t have a competitive package…Red Bull is dominating, but he’s still fighting always. He’s chasing Perez in P2 and he’s never giving up. It motivates all of us to see how Lewis keeps the motivation after winning so many titles.Fernando Alonso said, as reported by GQ magazine

Alonso shared the McLaren seat with Hamilton for the 2007 season, which saw the two legends fight each other so hard that both of them lost the championship by exactly one point. Alonso and Hamilton are now the only remaining drivers from the 2000s, and their retirement will surely mark the end of an era. On the bright side, neither of them looks set to retire anytime soon, as Hamilton continues to chase his eighth title and Fernando Alonso shows no signs of slowing down.

Fernando Alonso is not set to retire before winning number 33

Fernando Alonso made a move in 2023 that shocked many fans, leading some to believe his career was ending. Alonso’s change of team to Aston Martin came as a surprise, as the team had looked very weak in the 2022 season. However, the move was extremely valuable for the 2x World Champion, as he took eight podiums in the 2023 season after scoring none in 2022.

Fernando Alonso on the podium at Zandvoort (via IMAGO)

Alonso’s form in 2023 continues to be strong, even though the car isn’t performing as well as it was. The 42-year-old stood on the podium in Brazil, too, further asserting his claim that he doesn’t feel the need to retire. Alonso said he believes in the Aston Martin project and does not want to end his career before his 33rd win.

I would love to make that 33rd happen. I feel fresh, I feel fast, and I’m enjoying the journey with Aston Martin. I feel motivated. It’s not the time to retire yet.

Alonso is fighting to keep his spot in 4th place in the Drivers’ Championship against Lando Norris, who has also managed multiple podiums this season. Alonso is contracted to continue driving for Aston Martin in 2024, which is when the Silverstone team has promised to return to its podium-winning ways, such as the first stint of 2023.