That said, even the hardest racers in the world get soft when it comes to their kids. As Motorsport.com reports, two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has given us a rare glimpse behind his notoriously private personal life, revealing that he brought his son, Leonard, to a racing circuit when the boy was a mere two months old.
Now six months old, little Leonard has already tasted what makes his father tick. The Aston Martin driver shared on the Spanish radio sports programme El Larguero just how early the introduction happened. "We already took a lap in a kart. When he was two months old, I took him for a lap in my arms. He already felt the wind on his face," the 45-year-old explained.
When I leave Formula 1, it's clear I'm not going to be travelling to 24 countries every year, am I? So, hopefully I can share a little more with him.
Alonso welcomed the baby with his partner Melissa Jimenez in March 2026. Despite his usual discretion, the driver was happy to boast about the boy's cheerful disposition. "I think he's delighted with everything. Right now, he's a very smiley child, and it's truly wonderful," he said. Those precious moments at home provide a crucial escape, especially given how tough things have been on track. "When I'm home, the few moments I have make up for all the difficulties we're having professionally."
Here's the thing: 2026 has been an absolute disaster for the Aston Martin F1 team. High expectations surrounded the Lawrence Stroll-owned outfit entering the season, bolstered by a fresh power unit partnership with Honda and machinery shaped under the leadership of Adrian Newey. Unfortunately, trouble with both the chassis and the power unit showed up almost immediately.
To fight back, the squad rolled out a B-spec car at the Hungarian Grand Prix, backed up by power unit upgrades at the very next round. It is a brutal grind that currently leaves them sitting 10th in the constructors' standings with a meager three points.
Thankfully, the veteran's long-term future is secure. Following months of heavy speculation about where he would end up, Alonso locked down a contract extension with Aston Martin that keeps him tied to the Silverstone outfit until at least the end of 2027.
And he already has big plans for the road ahead with his boy. "Next year I want to share the circuits, the trips around the world, and take lots of photos with him," he added. "When I leave Formula 1, it's clear I'm not going to be travelling to 24 countries every year, am I? So, hopefully I can share a little more with him."
