“I will reach 400, for sure,” says Alonso

On the verge of turning into essentially the most skilled driver within the historical past of the Components One World Championship, Fernando Alonso targets 400 race begins.

Final weekend noticed the two-time world champion equal Kimi Raikkonen as having began 349 Grands Prix, and forward of the Singapore Grand Prix, which is able to see him change into the game’s most skilled driver, Fernando Alonso is focusing on 400 begins.

Getting into F1 in 2001 with Minardi, he subsequently joined Renault – with whom he received his two titles – McLaren and Ferrari, earlier than returning to McLaren after which Renault.

After leaving McLaren for the second time he spent a few seasons in IndyCar as he sought to change into the second driver to win motor sport’s triple crown. Although he received at Le Mans, thereby finishing the second a part of the search, the Indy 500 win eluded him, and he subsequently returned to F1.

This season it has change into clear that the wily Spaniard has misplaced neither his ardour or his velocity, and has been frequently battling with the very best of them on the entrance of the midfield.

In a shock transfer, 2023 will see him go away Alpine for Aston Martin, moving into the seat vacated by four-time champ, Sebastian Vettel.

400 begins would take the Spaniard via to the tip of 2024, and he’s decided to do it.

“I do know the quantity as a result of each weekend we maintain repeating it, however I am not into this a lot,” he instructed reporters at Monza, when requested about the truth that the race would see him equal Raikkonen’s variety of begins.

“I am completely satisfied to be in Components 1 for thus a few years,” he continued, “and with the 2 extra coming, or no matter, nonetheless lengthy I can be in Components 1, I’ll attain 400 for positive.

“That is a giant quantity,” he added. “It reveals my ardour for the game and my self-discipline to carry out on the excessive stage. In case you are not performing, the workforce won’t provide you with 400 grands prix, for positive.”

Rubens Barrichello (322) is third when it comes to the all-time variety of begins, forward of Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button, who’re each on 306, Lewis Hamilton (304) and Sebastian Vettel (293).