This year marks Fernando Alonso\u2019s 22nd season in Formula 1, meaning he\u2019s officially been competing in the sport for half of his life. After turning 44 last week, he both qualified and finished fifth in Hungary, despite missing FP1 with a muscular injury in his back. Week in, week out, he shows no signs of slowing down, despite being the oldest driver in Formula 1 since Graham Hill in 1975.<\/p>\n
The two-time World Champion<\/a> is also pretty familiar with breaking records, including being the driver with the most-ever starts in F1 – a fact made even more impressive considering his two-year hiatus from the sport from 2019-2020.<\/p>\n But Alonso also has a story to tell through the way his personal aesthetic has changed. From a fresh-faced rookie to the racing veteran today, here’s how the Spaniard’s style has evolved while mirroring the chapters of his storied F1 career so far…<\/p>\n A fresh-faced prodigy<\/p>\n Before the podiums, the titles, and the signature looks we know him for now, Alonso first entered Formula 1 as a fresh talent that wanted to prove himself at the pinnacle of the sport. In a Minardi test in 2000, and later as a Renault test driver from 2002, his look was understated.<\/p>\n A combination of short hair, a youthful smile, and with race suits that seemed just a little too big, it was clear that at this point, he didn\u2019t yet have a defined personal aesthetic. He appeared exactly as he was: a rookie on the rise, entirely focused on racing.<\/p>\n The style would come later, as for now, it was all about fulfilling potential.<\/p>\n The rise of El Nano<\/p>\n In the midst of winning two successive World Championship titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault<\/a>, Alonso debuted one of his most iconic looks. With tousled hair, mirrored wraparound sunglasses, a bohemian necklace, and relaxed Renault blue-and-yellow racewear (often sported with a matching bandana), Alonso perfectly captured the spirit of Y2K.<\/p>\n He wasn\u2019t trying to be a style icon \u2013 but that was the point. \u201cI\u2019m just a normal guy,\u201d he insisted, upon his rapid rise to stardom, and his looks certainly reflected that: confident and bold… yet casual.<\/p>\n On-track, he was fierce and tactical, but off-track he carried the effortless charisma of someone who didn’t feel the need to please anyone. A new generation of fans found their hero (and style inspiration) in El Nano.<\/p>\n Clean cut at McLaren<\/p>\n Alonso\u2019s 2007 move to McLaren<\/a> accompanied a slightly sharper and more polished aesthetic. Often clean-shaven, shorter hair, and the white and coral red race suits gave him a sleeker look, a stark contrast to the flair of his Renault days. Perhaps it was due to his short tenure at the team that year, but the aesthetic felt more like a uniform than an extension of personality.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be clear, the look was still sharp and timely, but perhaps not as distinct as some of his others. Upon his return to Renault in 2008, he reverted back to his more relaxed and unique style, perhaps a reflection of his sense of belonging within his previous team.<\/p>\n Romantic racer at Ferrari<\/p>\n