Fernando Alonso Reveals Health Struggles After Challenging 2024 F1 Season

Fernando Alonso, the two-time Formula 1 champion, has shed light on the physical toll he endured during the 2024 season, a year that saw him and Aston Martin struggle to maintain competitive form on the grid. Speaking candidly after the season’s conclusion, Alonso discussed the health issues he faced due to the porpoising problems with his Aston Martin car, highlighting the resilience required to compete in one of motorsport’s most demanding disciplines.

After a promising 2023 campaign that featured several podium finishes, Alonso’s 2024 season was a stark contrast. Aston Martin dropped to fifth in the constructors’ standings, far behind the dominant teams at the front. Despite the team’s challenges, Alonso managed to finish ninth in the drivers’ standings, marking him as the best-placed driver outside of the top four teams. However, the journey to achieve this came at a significant personal cost.

Alonso revealed that the porpoising issue—caused by the car’s aerodynamic instability—had led to injuries that affected his performance. “This is tough, but it also depends a little bit on how the season has gone and how the car has gone,” Alonso explained in an interview with DAZN during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “If you have a McLaren, a Ferrari, or a Mercedes, it’s much less hard because the car doesn’t jump; the car goes fast.”

The Spaniard shared that the porpoising was particularly severe during the latter part of the season, causing a shoulder injury in Brazil that persisted for the final four races. “You injure your shoulder and you have four races injured,” he admitted. “You take a pill to get rid of the pain, and that’s it.”

Alonso was quick to dismiss any suggestions that his age—43 years—was a factor in his struggles. “It has nothing to do with age because people quickly assume if I’m physically bad, it’s because I’m 43 years old,” he said. In fact, Alonso highlighted that the physical demands of F1 take their toll on drivers across the grid. “The other day, in the closed park, it was like The Walking Dead. They were all on the ground, and I’m pretty good, much more in one piece than them,” he remarked, emphasizing that injuries and fatigue are commonplace among his peers, regardless of age.

Looking ahead, Alonso remains optimistic about Aston Martin’s potential for improvement, especially with the upcoming arrival of renowned aerodynamicist Adrian Newey. The team hopes to address the performance issues that plagued them in 2024 and return to contention for podium finishes. Alonso’s determination and commitment to pushing the limits of his craft remain unwavering, as he continues to defy expectations and prove his enduring competitiveness in Formula 1.

As Alonso reflects on the challenges of 2024, his candid revelations underscore the physical and mental endurance required to succeed in F1. Despite the setbacks, his resilience and dedication exemplify why he remains one of the sport’s most revered figures. With a fresh chapter on the horizon for Aston Martin, Alonso’s fans can look forward to seeing him tackle the challenges of 2025 with the same passion and grit that have defined his legendary career.