Rubens Barrichello shares what he really loves about Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso is setting records with every Formula 1 race he takes part in.

After making his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001, Fernando Alonso recently took part in his 400th Grand Prix weekend in Mexico City.

With each passing race that Alonso takes part in for Aston Martin, he extends a record that looks very unlikely to be broken.

The only driver who is currently in the running to match his record one day is Lewis Hamilton, but he needs Alonso to retire to begin putting a dent in the lead he’s already built up.

Alonso doesn’t look like he’s going to hang up his racing gloves any time soon, having signed a contract extension earlier in the year with the Silverstone-based team.

The Spaniard will be 45 years old when he begins the 2026 campaign when he will hope that the introduction of a new ruleset, the installation of a new wind tunnel at Aston Martin’s factory and the hiring of key staff including Adrian Newey will provide him with a race-winning car.

Rubens Barrichello is another driver who once held the record for taking part in the most F1 races.

The Brazilian still holds the record for most consecutive starts – Alonso took a break for F1 after a torrid time with McLaren – and speaking to the Beyond The Grid Podcast, he explained what he admires about the two-time world champion.

Why Rubens Barrichello still admires old rival Fernando Alonso

Asked if he was impressed by Alonso passing the 400 Grand Prix mark, Barrichello said: “I am! How many years has Alonso been racing?”

When host Tom Clarkson tells Barrichello he made his debut in 2001 but sat out three seasons, Barrichello continues: “I had 19 years [in Formula 1, but] if you think that I only raced 14 races, to begin with [per season] and 16 races this is not a comparison anymore.

“What I love about Alonso is the fact that you look into his eyes and he still loves it.

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

“That’s what I tell my boys. Oh you have problems and you will have bigger ones but it depends how much is here.

“If you like it or you love it, you solve every problem possible. So, if you love it and you keep fit because that’s what it is isn’t it?”

Barrichello then recalls the time Alonso called him to be his teammate in a virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans event.

The pair would race for hours and hours together, practising at all hours of the day, even though the event didn’t quite go to plan.

Aston Martin’s 2024 Formula 1 campaign ending with a whimper

Alonso’s longevity may be impressive, but his team’s performance this season has left a lot to be desired.

Aston Martin will almost certainly finish the season in 5th in the Constructors’ Championship, but they’ve once managed two top-10 finishes since the Italian Grand Prix.

Alonso has scored the majority of their points, but they’ve come nowhere near matching the eight podium finishes they achieved in 2023.

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

Aston Martin recently announced the departure of Dan Fallows as they continue to shake up their backroom staff.

Fallows was under pressure earlier in the year, and unfortunately, the decisions being made about the development of the car have failed to produce the required performance.

It means the pressure will be on Newey as soon as he arrives at the factory once his Red Bull contract has come to an end.