Fernando Alonso's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Fernando Alonso.

Fernando Alonso is a highly accomplished Spanish racing driver, currently competing in Formula One for Aston Martin. He is a two-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion (2005 and 2006 with Renault) with 32 Grand Prix victories across 22 seasons. Alonso has also excelled in endurance racing, winning the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship and twice winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota. He holds the unique distinction of being the only driver to have won both the Formula One World Drivers' Championship and the World Sportscar/World Endurance Drivers' Championship. Additionally, he won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1988: Won Children's Junior Championship of the Asturias and Galicia

In 1988, Alonso won the children's junior Championship of the Asturias and Galicia, marking his early success in kart racing.

1989: Won Children's Junior Championship of the Asturias and Galicia

In 1989, Alonso won the children's junior Championship of the Asturias and Galicia for the second consecutive year, demonstrating his early dominance in karting.

1990: Won Asturias and Basque Country Cadet Championship

In 1990, Alonso won the Asturias and the Basque Country Cadet Championship, showcasing his continued success in karting.

1995: Won Third Successive Spanish Junior National Championship

In 1995, Alonso won his third successive Spanish Junior National Championship, solidifying his dominance in junior karting.

July 1996: World Karting Championship Victory

In July 1996, on July 14th, Alonso won the world karting championship using the number 14, solidifying it as his lucky number.

1996: Won Fourth Spanish Junior Karting Championship

In 1996, Alonso won his fourth Spanish Junior Karting Championship, along with the Trofeo Estival, the Marlboro Masters, and the CIK-FIA 5 Continents Juniors Cup at the Karting Genk.

1997: Took Italian and Spanish International A championships

In 1997, Alonso took the Italian and Spanish International A championships and was second in the European Championship with nine wins, the Masters Karting Paris Bercy and the Spanish Karting Championship.

1999: Won Euro Open by Nissan

In 1999, Alonso won the Euro Open by Nissan.

2003: First Pole and Race Win

In 2003, Alonso secured his first pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix and his first race win at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

2003: Promoted to Renault Race Team

In 2003, Alonso was promoted to the Renault race team, broke the record of youngest driver to win a pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix, and broke Bruce McLaren's record as the youngest F1 race winner at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He finished sixth in the World Drivers' Championship.

2003: Received the Autosport Gregor Grant Award and the Princess Cristina National Sports Award

In 2003, Fernando Alonso received the Autosport Gregor Grant Award for winning the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix and the Princess Cristina National Sports Award for sporting newcomer.

February 2005: Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In February 2005, Fernando Alonso was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador by the UNICEF Spanish Committee to promote and defend children's rights and awareness of UNICEF.

April 2005: Received the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy

In April 2005, Fernando Alonso was named the recipient of the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, recognizing his achievements in motorsport.

October 2005: Received the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports

In October 2005, Fernando Alonso received the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports.

2005: Won World Championship

In 2005, Alonso stayed at Renault and dueled with McLaren driver Kimi Räikkönen for the World Championship, ultimately winning and eclipsing Emerson Fittipaldi as the youngest World Drivers' Champion. He achieved seven victories, six pole positions, and fourteen podium finishes.

2005: Won First World Title

In 2005, Alonso won his maiden title, becoming the first World Drivers' Champion from Spain and the youngest in Formula One history at the time.

May 2006: Received Premios Nacionales del Deporte Sportsman of the Year Award and the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit

In May 2006, Fernando Alonso was awarded the Premios Nacionales del Deporte Sportsman of the Year Award and the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit for winning the 2005 F1 World Championship.

2006: Won Second F1 World Championship

In 2006, Alonso secured his second Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Renault.

2006: Defended World Title

In 2006, Alonso successfully defended his title against Michael Schumacher, securing his second consecutive World Championship.

2006: Named Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year

In 2006, Fernando Alonso was named the Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year.

2008: Multiple Race Wins

In 2008, Alonso won multiple races, including the controversial Singapore Grand Prix, during his return to Renault.

2008: Featured on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list

In 2008, Fernando Alonso featured on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, acknowledging his widespread fame and success.

2008: Joining Renault and season performance

In 2008, Fernando Alonso rejoined Renault on a two-year contract due to the manufacturer's long-term commitment to F1. Despite initial power deficiencies in his car, aerodynamic developments later allowed him to win in Singapore and Japan. He scored 61 points and finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship.

2010: Most Popular Drivers

In 2010, Alonso was within the top two most popular drivers in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association fan surveys.

June 2012: Listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes by Forbes

In June 2012, Fernando Alonso was listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes by Forbes. The magazine also named him motorsport's top-earning driver from June 2012 to June 2013.

June 2013: Named motorsport's top-earning driver by Forbes

In June 2013, Forbes magazine named Fernando Alonso as motorsport's top-earning driver, continuing from June 2012.

2013: White Helmet to Celebrate Career Points Record

At the 2013 Indian Grand Prix, Alonso sported a white helmet to celebrate his total career points scored up to the preceding Japanese Grand Prix of 1571, displaying "F1 points World Record" and thank you messages.

2015: Favourite Male Athlete

In 2015, Alonso was recognized as Personality Media's favorite male athlete, boasting a 99% recognition rating among the Spanish public.

2016: Named a top earning international star by Forbes

In 2016, Forbes named Fernando Alonso as one of the top earning international stars. He was also listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes by Forbes.

2017: Most Popular Drivers

In 2017, Alonso was within the top two most popular drivers in the Grand Prix Drivers' Association fan surveys.

2017: Named one of the highest-paid international and European celebrities by Forbes

In 2017, Fernando Alonso was named one of the highest-paid international and European celebrities by Forbes. Alonso also featured on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2017 and was listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

2017: Voted Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame

In 2017, Fernando Alonso was voted the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year for his performance in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 and was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame for being a F1 World Champion.

2018: Won FIA World Endurance Championship

In 2018, Alonso won the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota.

2018: Listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes by Forbes

In 2018, Fernando Alonso was listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes by Forbes, marking the last year of his listing from 2012 to 2018.

2019: Won 24 Hours of Daytona

In 2019, Alonso won the 24 Hours of Daytona with WTR.

2019: Victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona

In 2019, Alonso won the rain-shortened 24 Hours of Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing, sharing a Cadillac DPi-V.R with Kamui Kobayashi, Renger van der Zande, and Jordan Taylor, completing 593 laps.

2019: LMP1 Drivers' Championship Win

In 2019, Alonso, along with Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, won the LMP1 Drivers' Championship, securing five victories, including the 2018 and 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans.

2019: Inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame as a FIA World Endurance Champion

In 2019, Fernando Alonso was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame again as a FIA World Endurance Champion, making him the first driver to be inducted twice.

2022: Record for Most Career Starts

In 2022, Alonso broke the record for the most career starts, showcasing his longevity in Formula One.

2023: Podium Finishes with Aston Martin

In 2023, on his Aston Martin debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso finished in 3rd place, securing a podium finish. He finished in third again at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking his 100th podium, but a penalty initially dropped him to fourth before being reversed.