Fernando Alonso recently committed to a fresh chapter in F1 with Aston Martin that means he will remain on the grid until he is at least 45, edging him further up the all-time list when it comes to the oldest drivers in the sport’s history. As the dust settles on the news, we dive into the history books and present some of the names who went even further…
Oldest drivers to start a race
5: Adolf Brudes – 52 years, 293 days – Germany 1952
Nobleman Brudes carved a reputation on the hillclimb scene through the 1920s and 1930s before branching out to sportscars and, eventually, F1, making his one-and-only appearance on home soil at the Nordschleife in 1952, where he qualified 19th and retired after five laps due to an engine problem.
READ MORE: Alonso on his new ‘lifetime’ Aston Martin deal, talks with rival teams and a Honda reunion
4: Luigi Fagioli – 53 years, 22 days – France 1951
After a successful Grand Prix career, and having battled through illness, Italian racer Fagioli claimed six podiums in seven F1 outings for Alfa Romeo across the early 1950s – including a shared victory with Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1951 French Grand Prix – only to lose his life the following year due to injuries sustained in a sportscar accident in Monaco.
News Summary:
- IN NUMBERS: F1’s oldest drivers and Grand Prix winners as Fernando Alonso races through to his mid-40s with Aston Martin
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