FERNANDO ALONSO could race at the highest level until he is 50, the Spaniard has revealed.
The F1 legend has lifted the lid on “surprising” test results he received during the winter as he prepared for his 21st season.
Alonso, 42, will once again be on the grid for Aston Martin in 2024.
However, he is showing no signs of slowing down and has given details of his recovery levels over the off-season.
The two-time world champion explained this week: “We usually do the same tests. The first part we do in the Alps, in Italy, in the mountains.
“We have historical data of my body’s cardio performance in one, two and five kilometres, in a resting state, in a thousand and one tests of fat or muscle, of reaction with the lights, as well as maximums from the gym with weights.
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“While in some tests over the last five or six years, there was a minimal drop in performance, especially in terms of muscle, because, from the age of 30 or 35, you lose a little muscle.
“This year, we have been able to recover it to maximum levels. And this has been partly due to nutrition, which has changed.
“We tried to gain a bit of muscle to compensate for the age factor, without losing reactivity or endurance in cardio. These were surprising results, and I think very positive.”
Asked how long he could keep competing for, Alonso added: “A few years ago, I would say that maybe 40 to 41 was the limit.
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“Now, after I saw myself last year, motivated and performing well, I was thinking maybe that I can keep racing a few more years.
“This winter, I’ve been exceeding a little bit the expectations in terms of all the physical tests and everything that I did, so I will say that if you are motivated, and if you want to commit, you can drive maybe until 48 or 49, or whatever, or even 50.
“But, at the same time, you have to give up everything in life. Formula 1 needs total dedication.
“This is my 24th season or whatever in F1 and I gave my life for 24 years to this sport, which I’m happy and I’m okay with that.
“I can keep doing it for a few more years. But I don’t know if I will be racing until 50, with such a demanding calendar and things like that.
“Not for the abilities, but because there are other things in life that I’m curious about.”
The 2024 F1 season is set to begin in Sakhir on March 2 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
