McLaren driver Lando Norris has claimed that Aston Martin ace Fernando Alonso has done one thing you will ‘never see again’ in F1 ahead of the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix.
The Land of the Dragon has finally welcomed the pinnacle of motorsport back after five long years away. Formula 1 had to axe its plans to race in the Jiading District from 2020 until 2023 owing to China’s covid restrictions. But the Chinese GP is now back for its 17th edition so far.
F1 saw Alonso win the second-ever running of the Chinese GP with Renault in 2005. The 42-year-old even became one of the very few repeat winners of the Chinese GP to date in 2013 as Alonso won for Ferrari. Now, the Spaniard will seek a third win in 2024 with Aston Martin.
Lando Norris thinks F1 will ‘never’ see longevity like Fernando Alonso’s again
Alonso also headed to East Asia for the Chinese GP with a new contract with Aston Martin in his pocket. The Oviedo native agreed to sign a new deal keeping him at the Silverstone team through at least the 2026 season after the Japanese GP. He was out of contract past 2024.
The two-time F1 champion’s new contract will also see Alonso remain on the Formula 1 grid past his 45th birthday. Alonso made his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport with Minardi in the 2001 F1 season. He has since entered 385 Grand Prix ahead of the 2024 Chinese GP.
READ MORE: 5 unforgettable Chinese GP moments including Schumacher’s last win in F1
Alonso’s longevity as a Formula 1 driver is something that Norris thinks will likely ‘never’ be repeated. The McLaren driver has a ‘lot of respect’ for his Aston Martin rival for his time on the grid, as well. Alonso has entered a record number of Grand Prix to Kimi Raikkonen’s 353.
“You’re probably, potentially, never going to see this again in F1,” Norris said in the pre-race press conference this Thursday. “And if you do, it will be incredibly rare. So, a lot of respect.”
Lewis Hamilton may need to race into 2029 to surpass Fernando Alonso’s Grand Prix tally
Alonso signing his new contract with Aston Martin through at least the 2026 season will pull him further clear as the Formula 1 driver with the most Grand Prix entries. Lewis Hamilton is due to overtake Raikkonen for second place during his final season with Mercedes this term.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 with a multi-year contract will also see the seven-time F1 champion cement second place. But the 39-year-old might need to race into the 2029 term to surpass Alonso’s total, providing the Spaniard leaves Aston Martin after the 2026 season.
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