Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has stated he has nothing left to prove, asserting that he already knows he is the best driver in the sport.
Alonso, now 44 years old, has remarkably been competing in Formula 1 on and off since 2001, accumulating more grand prix starts than any other driver in the history of the sport.
His last world championship title came in 2006, and more recently he has found himself racing with machinery unable to challenge at the front of the grid.
His last three teams, McLaren, Alpine, and Aston Martin, have all failed to provide him with race-winning cars, leaving him to compete in the midfield at best.
Alonso’s most recent podium finish came at the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix, while his last race victory dates all the way back to the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, 13 years ago.
The 2026 season has been particularly difficult, with Alonso only managing to finish two of the five grands prix due to Aston Martin’s severe reliability problems.
Even when he has crossed the finish line this year, Alonso has found himself at the very back of the pack, far from the competitive positions he built his reputation on.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Alonso’s personal performances have remained strong, with team-mate Lance Stroll failing to out-qualify him since the 2024 British Grand Prix, nearly two full years ago.
When asked how he measures his performance during this challenging period, Alonso was characteristically direct and confident in his response.
“I don’t measure anything, I’m the best,” Alonso told the media, adding, “I don’t need to prove anything, I don’t need to feel anything to believe that I’m at the right level.”
Asked what keeps him motivated while racing at the back with Aston Martin, Alonso explained that he is simply biding his time until a better car arrives.
“Waiting for the opportunity, and meanwhile trying to help the team, so we don’t lose the competitive edge that you need to have in Formula 1,” he said.
Alonso revealed that he tests himself across different categories and cars to maintain his competitive sharpness while waiting for his Formula 1 situation to improve.
“If I go to a go-kart track and I’m not the fastest, then I will be worried. If I go to a GT car and I’m not the fastest, I will be worried, and these kind of things,” he said.
He concluded with a defiant message, stating, “Meanwhile I’m doing that, I’m still the fastest, so when I come to the Formula 1 weekend, it’s just a matter of time that I have a better car.”