On September 25, 2005, Fernando Alonso, with a triumphant smile and a shout of euphoria, was crowned Formula 1 world champion. An iconic moment that marked a before and after in the history of motorsport. At that time, the young Spanish driver, at just 24 years old, broke the established dominance, ending the streak of titles of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.Fernando Alonso celebró su primer campeonato mundial de F1 el 25 de septiembre de 2005.Two decades later, the most vivid memory of that day for Alonso is that cry of joy, more than the trophy or the celebrations. A cry that, according to his own words, released the pressure accumulated during months of intense competition.
“It was an incredible moment and emotion,” Alonso commented. “From within, it was like a relief. A weight off after so much pressure in the months leading up to Brazil, because the championship was getting closer and closer, but you’re never 100% sure until it happens. So when it happened, it was perhaps 20 years of my life concentrated in those 10 seconds of celebration.”
Fernando Alonso
Alonso’s path to the top was full of challenges. In a country traditionally devoted to motorcycling, the road to Formula 1 was unknown. His victory in Hungary in 2003 was the first by a Spaniard in the category since 1950. This milestone made his championship conquest even more special.
Sainz’s podium in Baku sets a record in the Williams season
Verstappen’s victory in Baku makes McLaren listen to the theme of ‘Jaws’
Guenther Steiner, team owner: Why MotoGP is the next stop for the former Haas boss
Alonso vividly remembers the final moments of that race, reliving his karting beginnings and his career in single-seaters. He evokes his family and grandparents, concentrating his entire sporting career in that instant.The discussion about Alonso’s legacy is a fascinating topic. Considered one of the most complete drivers of the modern era, for many his talent has still not been fully utilized. Alonso himself acknowledges that the moments after 2005, including his second championship in 2006, have faded in his memory.
“I barely remember anything from those afternoons and nights, which is sad,” Alonso confessed. “When I look back on my career, I will see many good things, good friendships, incredible experiences, but if I had the opportunity to live my life exactly one more time, maybe I wouldn’t change my teams, my choices, these Ferrari titles, whatever, I would change to live a little more all those moments… What I regret most is not having enjoyed my time.”
Fernando Alonso
Currently 44 years old, Alonso continues to compete and has a contract with Aston Martin until 2026. His commitment to Lawrence Stroll’s project reflects his belief in the team’s potential for the future.Alonso’s victory had a transformative impact on Spain, inspiring a new generation of drivers. One of them is Carlos Sainz, who currently shares the grid with his idol.
Carlos Sainz, a la derecha, comenzó a compartir la parrilla de F1 con su ídolo y compatriota español, Fernando Alonso, en 2015.Sainz remembers how Alonso was key to his passion for Formula 1, motivating him to follow every race and practice. Alonso’s first world championship was a great boost for many Spanish drivers, including Sainz, who dreamed of emulating his idol.Alonso’s impact on Formula 1 in Spain was undeniable. Flavio Briatore, Alonso’s former manager, recalls how the driver changed the perception of the sport in the country. Briatore, who also played an important role in Schumacher’s career, immediately recognized Alonso’s talent, betting on him and taking him to Minardi in 2001.Briatore justified his decision to choose Alonso over Jenson Button and, finally, Alonso achieved his first victory in 2003. Alonso and Renault won the championship in Interlagos. Briatore’s decision to bet on Alonso over Button had been more than justified.Fernando Alonso ganó siete carreras en su camino para levantar su primer campeonato mundial de F1 en 2005.Ayao Komatsu, current head of the Haas team, highlights Alonso’s ability to manage tires and his capacity to perform at his best on every lap. Alonso’s precision on the track was of another level, which earned him recognition as a world champion.It’s hard to believe that the championship won by Alonso in Brazil 20 years ago still represents half of his titles. The driver hasn’t won a championship since 2006 or a Grand Prix since 2013, a surprising statistic for a driver considered the most complete of the modern era. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, summed up the situation perfectly.
“I have a lot of respect for Fernando. I don’t think his results or statistics tell even close to the story of his talent,” Piastri said. “He’s definitely a driver where the statistics don’t tell the whole story of his career, and I think he’s definitely one of the best drivers the sport has seen.”
Oscar PiastriThe “complete driver” label is strongly maintained for Alonso. In the last decade, he sought the “Triple Crown” of motorsport, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019, demonstrating his versatility and talent in different categories.Fernando Alonso, a la izquierda, está a dos tercios de lograr la Triple Corona del automovilismo, ganando Le Mans con Toyota en 2018 y 2019.Alonso’s lack of success in F1 is attributed to several factors, including bad luck and professional decisions. For Alonso, this became an opportunity to remind the world what he was capable of. His participation in the Indy 500 was an example of this.Max Verstappen, also a great admirer of Alonso, admires his motivation and passion for racing, regardless of the category.Verstappen acknowledges that Alonso hasn’t won races recently, but highlights the talent he showed in his title years. The desire to win is what keeps Alonso in the sport. Briatore defends Alonso against criticism about his difficulty to be managed, highlighting his team spirit and determination.Alonso returned to Formula 1 in 2021 with the motto “The Plan”, seeking another championship. His move to Aston Martin in 2023, along with the arrival of Adrian Newey and the change of rules in F1, generates expectations of success.Fernando Alonso ocupa el puesto 14 en el campeonato de pilotos de 2025, con todas las miradas de Aston Martin puestas en el cambio de reglamento del próximo año.Alonso is optimistic about the chances of victory in 2026, trusting in the team and the Aston Martin facilities. Alonso acknowledges that, regardless of what happens in the future, his legacy will be remembered for his versatility and ability to compete at the highest level in different categories.
“I think people in the paddock will probably remember that I was a complete driver. I was able to drive different cars with different competitiveness, always at the maximum. In different categories as well, different series in motorsport and try to be competitive in all of them. So that’s probably enough for me and this is already a very good compliment”.
Fernando AlonsoAlonso accepts that the outside world could quickly forget him, as happens with all drivers. Although his career has not had the success in statistics that many expected, he shows a philosophical attitude towards luck and bad luck.After more than 20 years since his championship and more than 10 years since his last victory in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, Alonso hopes to have the opportunity to change this situation and demonstrate his talent once more.
