Fernando Alonso to clinch another milestone after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

This weekend will be special for Fernando Alonso and his fans as he is set to create history by shattering yet another record.

Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed his car on lap 14 of the race, bringing out the safety car and changing the course of the race. Piquet Jr.'s crash allowed his teammate, Fernando Alonso, to gain a significant advantage, which he went on to exploit to win the race. (Image: Twitter)
By Niranjan Shivalkar | Jun 8, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

After the exhilarating Monaco Grand Prix and skipping a weekend, Formula One will be back with more racing action and sporting drama this weekend. Azerbaijan Grand Prix is all set to be the next race of the F1 calendar on June 12th. Although, this weekend will be quite special for Fernando Alonso and his fans as the Spaniard is all set to create history in the sport by shattering yet another record.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

For only the sixth time in Formula One history, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held in Baku this weekend. It first appeared on the Formula One schedule in 2016, with Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg winning the race. Lance Stroll earned his first F1 podium in 2017, while Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly shined the previous year, capitalizing on Max Verstappen’s untimely puncture and Lewis Hamilton’s restart disaster. Sergio Perez has consistently done well in Baku, winning in 2021 and also finishing on the podium in 2016 and 2018.

Alonso’s record

This weekend, Alpine’s top performer will shatter a long-standing record. Alonso’s debut with Minardi in the 2001 Australian Grand Prix was 21 years, three months, and eight days ago on Sunday in Baku. Alonso will establish a new record for the longest F1 career when the lights go down on Sunday afternoon. This would move him ahead of Michael Schumacher’s current record which stands at 21 years and three months exactly. Alonso has two world titles, 32 victories, 98 podiums, and 22 pole positions in that span.

Read more: Alonso not happy with driver salary cap

The rivalry

In 2006, the pair competed for the F1 world title, with Alonso eventually winning. Schumacher would subsequently retire at the end of that season, only to make a surprising return with Mercedes in 2010. After four difficult years with McLaren, Alonso took a temporary break from the sport before rejoining Alpine last year. Despite not standing on the top step of the podium since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, the Spaniard remains one of F1’s finest drivers.

As of now Fernando Alonso stands 16th in the current season drivers standings with 10 points and Alpine stands 6th in the constructors standings with 40 points.