Fernando Alonso Provides Health Update After....

Fernando Alonso Provides Health Update After….read more

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has addressed his health following a challenging 2024 season, revealing the physical toll that racing in an underperforming Aston Martin car has had on him. The 43-year-old Spaniard, who had a promising start to his second stint with Aston Martin in 2023, endured a more difficult year in 2024, with no podium finishes and a car that struggled with pace.

Despite showing potential last season with several podiums, Alonso and Aston Martin’s performance in 2024 fell short of expectations. The team, which had hoped to build on their 2023 success, finished a distant fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, well behind the top four teams. Alonso, however, managed to finish ninth in the Drivers’ Standings, making him the highest-placed driver outside the dominant quartet of Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.

Looking ahead, Aston Martin is hoping to improve its competitiveness with the recruitment of renowned engineer Adrian Newey, but for now, Alonso has been left to cope with the challenges of an underperforming car. One of the most significant issues has been the problem of porpoising—the erratic bouncing of the car—particularly in the latter part of the season. This phenomenon, which has been a problem for several teams in recent years, has led to severe physical strain on drivers, and Alonso was no exception.

In an exclusive interview with DAZN at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso openly discussed the impact the porpoising had on his health. He explained how the issue affected his body, particularly his shoulder. The Spaniard revealed that during the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the team struggled with the car’s performance, he injured his shoulder due to the extreme bouncing. This injury led to him racing through pain in the subsequent races.

“This is tough, but it also depends a little bit on how the season has gone and how the car has gone,” Alonso said. “If you have a McLaren, Ferrari, or Mercedes, it’s much less hard because the car doesn’t jump, the car goes fast. But if you have our car from Brazil, you injure your shoulder, and you have four races injured.”

Alonso also emphasized that the pain he experienced was not due to his age. As a 43-year-old driver, he is often subjected to scrutiny about his physical fitness, but he was quick to dismiss these concerns. “You take a pill to get rid of the pain and that’s it, and it has nothing to do with age, because people quickly, if I’m physically bad, they think I’m 43 years old,” he said, defending his physical condition. He pointed out that despite being older than most of his peers, he is still in much better shape than many of them, joking about the state of some of the younger drivers.

During the Abu Dhabi GP weekend, Alonso shared his thoughts on how the season had unfolded and how physical strain from a less-than-ideal car can take a toll. “The other day, in the closed park, it was like The Walking Dead, they were all on the ground, and I’m pretty good, much more in one piece than them, so it’s a little bit of the little injuries that you have,” he said, referencing how many drivers looked exhausted after the season finale.

Alonso’s candid comments provide insight into the harsh physical demands that Formula 1 drivers face, particularly when dealing with cars that are not up to the task. The intense forces exerted during racing, coupled with issues like porpoising, can have a significant impact on a driver’s health and well-being. Despite the struggles of the 2024 season, Alonso remains determined and committed to the sport, indicating that he plans to continue his career for the foreseeable future.

Looking ahead, Aston Martin will likely continue to work on improving the car’s performance, and Alonso’s leadership and experience will be key as they try to close the gap to the leading teams. The arrival of Adrian Newey, who is widely regarded as one of the best technical minds in Formula 1, is expected to help the team develop a more competitive package for the future.

In the meantime, Alonso’s ability to withstand the physical challenges of the sport, despite the difficult circumstances of 2024, serves as a testament to his resilience and dedication. As one of the most experienced and accomplished drivers in F1 history, he has proven that age is just a number—it’s the mental and physical fortitude that really counts.