Last Tuesday, Fernando Alonso celebrated his 44th birthday. Three days later, he needed an injection to be fit for Free Practice 2 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, having skipped the opening session. Why? Back pain – just the sort of thing one might expect at his age.
Still, the same Alonso hauled his car up to fifth on the grid and held that position over 70 laps with a tactically astute drive. But what’s even more impressive is the proud Spaniard is the oldest Formula 1 driver in half a century, since 45-year-old Graham Hill – also a two-time world champion – took part in the opening rounds of the 1975 season.
