Last May I attended the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix as an FIA-accredited journalist. It was the first F1 race I ever attended, and the experience seared a number of memories into my brain: Lando Norris’ first win, a dominant weekend from F1 Academy driver Abbi Pulling, a tremendous conversation with Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan that convinced me he would get a full-time seat on the grid in short order, and more.
But one moment that truly sticks out comes from the wake of the F1 Sprint Race that weekend. It was your typical hot and humid Miami afternoon in May, and following the 19 laps the drivers each made their way to the media pen looking completely drained. 19 high-pressure laps in those conditions will do that to you as a driver.
Among them? Veteran Fernando Alonso, who made his way by me in the media pen with an ice vest strapped to his chest, while completely drenched in sweat.
Any notion that I would ever question whether F1 drivers are athletes — not that I would given what happens to the human body throughout an F1 race — flew out of Hard Rock Stadium at that moment.
But in case you need another reminder of this proposition, here is Alonso training for the upcoming 2025 F1 season:
If you are anything like me, you probably did not know necks could look like that. Oh, and Fernando Alonso is 43 years old.
The 2025 F1 season gets underway with pre-season testing in Bahrain next month.
Alonso looks ready.
