Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes fellow double World Champion Fernando Alonso could easily stay in F1 for another six years, by at which point he’d be 47.
Fittipaldi’s last victory at the pinnacle of motorsport came when he was 47 years old, with the Brazilian firmly believing that Alonso will still be capable of competing at “a high level” when he reaches a similar age.
Age certainly isn’t slowing the oldest driver on the grid down, with the 41-year-old having enjoyed his best start to a campaign since 2006.
2006 was the last time that Alonso claimed a podium in each of the opening three races, with 2006 also being the year he claimed his second title for Renault.
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The Aston Martin driver has finished third at every race so far this year, with him now targeting another rostrum this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Prior to Alonso joining the Silverstone-based side, their last podium came at the Baku City Circuit in 2021, after four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel finished second.
Whether Alonso can replicate Vettel’s Azerbaijan success or not, Fittipaldi is certain that the Spaniard is very “hungry for victory”.
“I won my last race in the United States at the age of 47 and Alonso can reach that age at a high level,” Fittipaldi told AS.
“He is physically very well and is hungry for victory.”
With Aston Martin and Alonso having started 2023 so strongly, many have begun to ponder when their first victory as a pair will come.
Unless something truly bizarre happens this weekend, then the likelihood is that Alonso won’t win in Baku due to Aston Martin’s poor straight-line speed.
Red Bull are expected to be unbeatable in Baku due to their superior straight-line speed, with Aston Martin being more suited to high downforce tracks.
With that in mind, many have identified the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix as Aston Martin’s and Alonso’s best chance to claim a race win, given the tight and twisty nature of the legendary venue.
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Fittipaldi does believe that Alonso will be “one of the favourites” to win at Monaco, in what would be his first win since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.
“The [Red Bull drivers] will also go very strong in Monaco but it is obvious that Fernando will have his options,” said Fittipaldi.
“He can win if he is lucky.”