Aston Martin turned a lot of heads with their form during 2023 Formula 1 testing, prompting several team bosses to brand them as a threat at the sharp end of the grid.
It would be audacious to assume that Aston Martin can challenge for victories after a tough 2022 season, but with the team making use of its 100% aero testing advantage to great effect, they could be in the running for a victory should the circumstances present themselves.
Alonso could match Mansell
Cue Fernando Alonso, who after making some unlucky team moves in his F1 career, finally looks like he is settling into one that could bring him back onto the podium and potentially on the top step.
Whether it's sodden conditions or genuine luck that brings him into contention, Alonso could join the lucrative group of 'Oldest Grand Prix Winners' in the history of Formula 1.
At 41 years-old Alonso would become the first driver since Nigel Mansell to win a race at that age.
A look at the stats show that he would have to hang on for another 12 years before he broke the record of 'Oldest Grand Prix Winner' set by Luigi Fagioli in 1951.
The last driver to enter the list was Kimi Raikkonen, who of course took his final victory in F1 with Ferrari at the 2018 United States Grand Prix at 39 years old.
Incidentally, Lewis Hamilton could theoretically enter the top 20 this season, having turned 38 in January.
Oldest Grand Prix Winners
| Position | Driver | Age at last win |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luigi Fagioli | 53 years, 0 months, 22 days |
| 2 | Giuseppe Farina | 46 years, 9 months, 3 days |
| 3 | Juan Manuel Fangio | 46 years, 1 months, 11 days |
| 4 | Piero Taruffi | 45 years, 7 months, 6 days |
| 5 | Jack Brabham | 43 years, 11 months, 5 days |
| 6 | Sam Hanks | 42 years, 10 months, 17 days |
| 7 | Nigel Mansell | 41 years, 3 months, 5 days |
| 8 | Lee Wallard | 40 years, 8 months, 23 days |
| 9 | Maurice Trintignant | 40 years, 6 months, 19 days |
| 10 | Graham Hill | 40 years, 3 months, 3 days |
| 11 | Clay Regazzoni | 39 years, 10 months, 9 days |
| 12 | Carlos Reutemann | 39 years, 1 months, 5 days |
| 13 | Kimi Räikkönen | 39 years, 0 months, 4 days |
| 14 | Nelson Piquet | 38 years, 9 months, 16 days |
| 15 | Riccardo Patrese | 38 years, 6 months, 8 days |
| 16 | Mario Andretti | 38 years, 5 months, 30 days |
| 17 | Alain Prost | 38 years, 5 months, 1 day |
| 18 | Rodger Ward | 38 years, 4 months, 20 days |
| 19 | Damon Hill | 37 years, 11 months, 13 days |
| 20 | Gerhard Berger | 37 years, 11 months, 0 days |
Also interesting:
Ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, RacingNews365.com journalists Dieter Rencken and Michael Butterworth analyse where each of the F1 teams stands after pre-season testing.
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