Why ‘exceptional’ Fernando Alonso lasted longer in Formula 1 than Daniel Ricciardo

Follow us on Google Discover

Fernando Alonso’s longevity in Formula 1 has been nothing short of remarkable, for a man that has competed in the series for nearly one-quarter of a century.

The Spaniard has done just about everything a driver could dream of during his racing career, including winning at Le Mans, competing in the Indy 500 and winning the Monaco Grand Prix.

While Indianapolis is the last jewel in the Triple Crown for him to achieve, I’m sure if he fails to achieve it he will settle for the two Formula 1 championships he claimed in 2005 and 2006.

He may not be finished with winning yet either, as he is locked in for two more seasons with Aston Martin and awaiting the arrival of design guru Adrian Newey to the team.

‘Exceptional’ Fernando Alonso has more ‘adaptability’ than Daniel Ricciardo

Looking at Daniel Ricciardo’s career, which was just cut abruptly short by Visa Cash App RB, the early indications from the Aussie’s time at Red Bull were that he may become a world champion.

Following a few poor career moves (something Alonso has been guilty of himself), he has now ended up off the grid for good.

That comes with reason though, after a struggle to adjust to the new machinery at each team he has driven for – something which Andrew Benson told The Fast and the Curious podcast is a strength of Alonso’s.

READ MORE: Toto Wolff shares ‘unfortunate’ update on George Russell’s Mercedes for the Mexico City Grand Prix

“One of the differences is adaptability,” he said. “What happened with Ricciardo is I think he for some reason, hasn’t been able to adapt to a particular kind of car. Whereas Alonso seems to be able to drive anything.

“That’s just to do with the roundedness of a racing driver’s ability. I think Ricciardo was very very good in a particular kind of car. Fernando is exceptional in every kind of car.”

Alonso is a better-rounded racing driver than Ricciardo

There isn’t much, if anything, to go off when assessing Ricciardo’s performance in other categories – but that may change soon.

There could be doors open for him in the World Endurance Championship, IndyCar or even NASCAR if he wants to continue racing.

The first of those options was one which Alonso shone in himself while racing for Toyota – winning the 2018-19 title.

READ MORE: Why there was a ‘big asterisk’ next to Sergio Perez’s disappointing US Grand Prix performance

The fact of the matter is that Alonso started racing Formula 1 cars in 2001 – 10 years before Ricciardo, and is still performing at a high level now even after the ‘Honey Badger’ has departed the sport.

A third world championship with Aston Martin would be the icing on the cake for Alonso’s career, and leave many fans thinking what could have been if he was in a Red Bull or Mercedes car during the 2010s.