The prediction Martin Brundle made during Fernando Alonso’s ‘brilliant’ Formula 1 debut that was one of the best of his career

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Twenty-four years ago today, Fernando Alonso took part in his first Formula 1 race at the age of just 19 for minnows Minardi.

Fernando Alonso was one of four rookies on the grid that day, alongside future world champion Kimi Raikkonen (Sauber), Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) and Enrique Bernoldi (Arrows).

It turned out to be one of the strongest crops of youngsters ever to join the Formula 1 grid, with the 2019 cohort containing Lando Norris, George Russell and Alex Albon the most recent comparable group of drivers.

The 2025 season could produce an equally impressive group of racers with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman and Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto among those making their debut at this year’s Australian Grand Prix.

Alonso made his debut before any of the six drivers starting their first Formula 1 season this year was born, highlighting his impressive longevity and desire to continue racing at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Martin Brundle has been impressed with Alonso’s longevity and was in the commentary box alongside Murray Walker when he made his debut back in 2001 in Melbourne.

Brundle had only retired from Formula 1 himself a few years earlier but was incredibly impressed with what the young Spaniard produced in the unfancied Minardi.

Martin Brundle claimed F1’s future was ‘safe’ after Fernando Alonso’s Australian Grand Prix debut

Minardi went into the 2001 season as the most likely team to finish bottom of the constructors’ championship.

Alonso’s teammate Tarso Marques failed to set a lap time inside the old 107% rule at the Australian Grand Prix but was allowed to start the race from the back of the grid.

The Spaniard teenager managed to qualify ahead of Luciano Burti’s Jaguar and Gaston Mazzacane’s Prost to start P19 in Melbourne and went on to finish the race in 12th.

He was two laps behind the eventual winner Michael Schumacher but was classified ahead of Benetton drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button.

READ MORE: Best moments of Fernando Alonso’s F1 career including first pole, podium, win, title and more

Talking on ITV’s commentary that day, Brundle said: “The future of Grand Prix racing is safe, you’ve got Räikkönen, Alonso and a lot of young drivers in this field that are showing absolute brilliance at a very early stage.

“It is very reassuring to know that a lot of young drivers are on their way through already.”

Walker added to Brundle’s praise of Alonso and continued, “A brilliant young driver in Fernando Alonso.

“He is in fifteenth position at the moment in his first Grand Prix, in a car that has had to be put together with enormous speed and accuracy.”

Brundle probably didn’t quite realise how safe the future of Grand Prix racing was when he made that particular prediction about Alonso.

He would go on to join Renault in 2003 and end Schumacher’s run of five consecutive championships two years later.

Fernando Alonso’s brilliant point-less debut Formula 1 season with Minardi

Alonso failed to score a point in 2001 despite regularly beating Marques and his replacement Alex Yoong throughout the campaign.

He managed a best finish of P10 at the German Grand Prix, which would have been enough to score a point under the current rules, but it was decided by his then-manager Flavio Briatore that another season with the backmarkers wouldn’t be beneficial.

Instead, he acted as Renault’s reserve driver in 2002 and was promised Button’s seat the following year despite the Brit’s decent performances across the campaign.

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Briatore was accused of making Button feel unloved but has shown time and again that his ruthless approach to Formula 1 is effective.

Nearly a quarter of a century later, Jack Doohan could lose his seat at Alpine under Briatore’s watchful eye, highlighting that very little ever changes in Formula 1.

Alonso’s presence on the grid is the perfect example of that as he’s proved time and again that age is irrelevant if a driver’s performances are still up to scratch.