Alonso 'sure' to reach 400 starts in Formula 1

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Fernando Alonso will reach a record number of race starts in F1 in Singapore next month, but the future Aston Martin driver is sure he'll tag 400 by the time he calls it a day on his career in the sport.

Last week in Monza, Alonso equaled Kimi Raikkonen's record of 350 Grand Prix starts. But the two-time world champion will sit alone at the top of the list of the sport's most assiduous drivers in its history when the lights go out in Singapore on October 2.

From there, Alonso will need to put 49 race starts under his belt to reach the impressive round number of 400. And the Spaniard is convinced he'll rack up the numbers.

"I know the number [of starts] because every weekend we keep repeating it, but I'm not into this so much," Alonso said last weekend when asked about equaling Raikkonen's record number of starts.

"I'm happy to be in Formula 1 for so many years, and with the two more coming, or whatever, however long I will be in Formula 1.

"I will reach 400 for sure, so that's a big number. It shows my passion for the sport and my discipline to perform at the high level.

"If you are not performing, the team will not give you 400 grands prix, for sure."

Read also: Ricciardo has 'accepted' idea of a year out from F1

Alonso kicked off his over two-decade career in Formula 1 with Minardi in 2001. However, he sat out the 2002 season as he accepted a reserve role with Renault.

But thereafter, the 41-year-old enjoyed a continued 16-year presence among motorsport's elite during which he won 32 races and two world titles.

A two-year break followed thereafter before Alonso returned to the grid with Alpine in 2021.

The Spaniard was expected to remain with the French outfit in 2023, but the Enstone squad was reluctant to offer F1's senior citizen the two-year deal he sought, which prompted his move to Aston.

Alonso holds a comfortable lead in the Grand Prix starts ranking of F1's active drivers, with Lewis Hamilton next in line with 304 starts to his name while Sebastian Vettel, who will retire from the sport at the end of the season, is third in the pecking order with 293 starts.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.