Jenson Button on Fernando Alonso: “I don’t know how he does it”

During the recent Formula 1 weekend in Brazil, there was much talk of the milestone achieved by Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion contested his 400th Grand Prix – thereby achieving something that only one other driver had managed before him: Fernando Alonso made his 400th Grand Prix start back in 2024 in Qatar; at Interlagos this year, he competed in his 445th Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The tireless and exceptional driver from the Aston Martin team is also set to break the 450-race mark, as his team confirmed at the end of September that they had extended the contract with the 2005 and 2006 champion. Alonso thus remains loyal to the Green team, even though they – together with engine partner Honda – are currently struggling particularly badly.

Fernando Alonso’s unparalleled dedication

The 45-year-old’s staying power amazes even seasoned Formula 1 icons such as Jenson Button. The 2009 world champion, who now works as a TV pundit and Aston Martin ambassador in the Formula 1 paddock, admitted in an interview with ‘Formula1.com’: ‘I don’t know how he does it. I really don’t!’

“He lives for racing and Formula 1. And when he’s not in a Grand Prix car, he’s putting his foot down in a kart or an ex-DTM car. He’s always driving something, and that’s his passion. He also loves driving on unpaved tracks, and actually he’s constantly driving some sort of racing car – you’ve got to give him credit for that,” continued the Briton, who chased points for McLaren alongside Alonso in 2015 and 2016.

Button explained that he himself had grown tired of it, which is why he’d hung up his racing helmet. “For me, it was great to step away from Formula 1 to do other things. Besides, I’ve got other goals in life, but his dedication to motorsport is undeniable and, in my opinion, unparalleled,” he added, referring to his former team-mate’s determination.

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