Why Is Fernando Alonso Called The Rookie Of F1?

Fernando Alonso is one of the most celebrated drivers in the history of F1, yet he’s often called “The Rookie of F1.” While this nickname might seem confusing and paradoxical, given his extensive career and multiple titles, the backstory is even funnier. So, why exactly is Fernando Alonso called the rookie? Let’s find out.

Why Is Fernando Alonso Called The Rookie Of F1?

Fernando Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 with Minardi, a team known for its limited competitiveness. Despite his early start, Alonso’s career took a significant step when he joined Renault as a test driver in 2002 and secured a full-time seat in 2003. His rapid rise made him the youngest polesitter and race winner at the time, and he also won his first World Drivers’ Championship in 2005 at the age of 24.

Now, the nickname “the rookie of F1” is often used ironically or humorously on social media within the F1 community. This irony stems from his return to F1 after retiring for some time. He took a break in 2018 to pursue other racing disciplines like endurance racing and the Indianapolis 500 before making a comeback with Alpine in 2021 and later Aston Martin.

Since he was away from the track for such a long time, Alpine used rookie methods to help him get familiar with the tracks again, hence the term “rookie.” Since then, fans and commentators have playfully called him “rookie of F1, ” highlighting the contrast between his age and a fresh start he made with F1.

Fernando Alonso’s Achievements

Despite being the “rookie of F1,” Alonso has had a great career. He won back-to-back F1 World Championship titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault, becoming the first Spanish driver to win the championship and the youngest at the time.

Over 22 seasons, Alonso has secured a total of 32 race wins, showcasing his consistency across multiple teams. He had a strong campaign with Ferrari, finishing as runner-up multiple times, and narrowly missing the championship with one point with McLaren in 2007.

Beyond F1, Alonso has won the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship and is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, making him the only driver to have won both an F1 Championship and the World Endurance Championship.

How’s He Doing Now?

After stepping away from F1 in 2018 and then returning in 2021 with Alpine, Alonso has not won any championships. However, he has shown remarkable excellence in terms of both physical and mental fitness. In 2023, he moved to Aston Martin, and his performance continues to earn him praise even today.

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