Mark Webber sends three-word message to old rival Fernando Alonso after his 400th F1 race

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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso didn’t have the landmark race he would have wanted at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

The Mexico City Grand Prix represented the 400th F1 entry for Fernando Alonso, although it wasn’t technically his 400th race.

On three occasions – the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix with Minardi, the infamous 2005 United States Grand Prix and the 2017 Russian Grand Prix – Alonso failed to start, meaning he’s technically only raced in F1 on 397 occasions.

It means that all being well, Alonso will take to the grid officially for the 400th time in his Aston Martin at the Qatar Grand Prix, and F1 typically needs no excuses to extend celebrations of their greatest drivers.

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Alonso hasn’t had the season he would have wanted at the beginning of 2024, especially after his first season with Aston Martin started so brightly.

He’s come nowhere near matching the eight podiums he earned last year, and Aston Martin arguably no longer have a car quick enough to consider points a reasonable expectation at each race.

Rachel Brookes shared what Alonso’s rivals were privately thinking ahead of his 400th race, and there’s a huge amount of respect for the 43-year-old.

Alonso has since shared the ‘most demanding’ race of his F1 career, but his run in Mexico won’t come close to the top of that list.

The Spaniard posted on Instagram after the race and his old rival Mark Webber sent him a message.

Several other drivers also paid tribute to Alonso, including George Russell who said on Instagram: “Congrats on 400 Nando, incredible achievement!!”

Mark Webber sends message to Fernando Alonso after his 400th Formula 1 entry

Alonso started Sunday’s race from the seventh row of the grid alongside teammate Lance Stroll.

They were both denied the chance to try and set a time quick enough for Q3 after Yuki Tsunoda’s crash and while Aston Martin don’t typically have a car quick enough to achieve that feat, Alonso has proven time and again that he can outperform his car.

Unfortunately, Alonso didn’t get the best getaway and was overtaken by Stroll on the run down to turn one, although he did well not to get involved in Tsunoda’s heavy crash.

His race didn’t last much longer though, with the altitude and overheating of his car enough for Aston Martin to bring his race to a premature halt.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Posting on social media after the race with a picture of him and his race team in the garage, Alonso said: “Hard luck today not being able to finish the race, but tremendously fortunate to share this stage together with this team @astonmartinf1.

“Thank you Mexico and @f1 for the affection and for the spectacular weekend!”

Alonso’s number one mechanic Mikey Brown replied, “Congrats mate on 400! See you Thursday,” referencing his return to the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Webber added “400… incredible buddy.”

Fernando Alonso told he’s achieved the impossible in Formula 1

It’s incredible to think that Alonso first made his Formula 1 debut in 2001 when several of his current rivals weren’t even both.

In that season, he raced against Jean Alesi who started his career in 1989, highlighting the longevity of some of F1 most talented racers.

Alonso has been told his achievement will never be matched, although there’s one man on the grid who will be setting his sights on his record.

Lewis Hamilton appears to be just as keen as Alonso to drive well into his 40s, especially as he has a new challenge at Ferrari to look forward to from 2025 onwards.

Alonso’s current deal runs until the end of 2026, but it’s impossible to rule out the Spaniard extending his contract, especially if Adrian Newey designs a race-winning car for him.