It was 10 years ago, the most recent victory of Fernando Alonso
We go back in time: May 12, 2023, 3:42 pm in Barcelona. Tens of thousands of tifosi rise to applaud Fernando Alonso's latest achievement. A third victory at home, but above all, his last in Formula 1, and no one would have imagined that on that day.
If Fernando Alonso is destined to never again climb to the top step of a Formula 1 podium, it can be said that there is worse than achieving his last victory in his own country. A decade has officially passed since Fernando Alonso’s last victory.
At the time, who could have predicted what awaited Fernando, just a few weeks after his last victory and less than a year after the 2012 season where Fernando Alonso had displayed an incredible performance throughout the season.
The 2013 Spanish Grand Prix took place in Barcelona for the fifth race of the year. Fernando Alonso had already secured a second place in Australia, a DNF (Did Not Finish) in Malaysia, a victory in China, and an eighth place in Bahrain. For his home race, he qualified in fifth place during the qualifying session, with only a 3-millisecond lead over his teammate Felipe Massa.
Before the start is given, it has been 7 years since Fernando Alonso last won on his home soil.
When the race starts, Alonso launches perfectly and manages to overtake Räikkönen and Hamilton to position himself in 3rd place by the time they reach turn 4. Stopping at lap 10, one lap earlier than Sebastian Vettel, he thus got the better of the German before dropping pole-sitter Nico Rosberg at lap 13. The Spaniard then perfectly managed the race to be able to step onto the highest step of the podium again, more than 7 years later, in front of his fans.
Is a victory possible this season?
Despite Red Bull’s undisputed dominance over the past 5 races, Aston Martin emerges as one of the most serious contenders to challenge the Austrian team. Fernando Alonso has consistently returned to the podium, a phenomenon he had not experienced since that famous year of 2013 when he finished in the top 3 nine times.
Currently the best driver if we exclude Red Bull, a victory is not to be ruled out, especially on circuits where Aston Martin will be more advantageous, perhaps on the Monaco track if he performs well in qualifying. Potentially a 3rd victory in the principality, considering he hasn’t shined in Monte-Carlo since 2007.
