Fernando Alonso has reported sick just before his 400th Formula 1 race weekend.

Fernando Alonso, the double world champion from Aston Martin, reported illness on Thursday as he prepared for what will be his milestone 400th Formula One Grand Prix weekend.

The team announced that the 43-year-old Spaniard, who was scheduled to participate in a press conference at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, was unwell and would forgo his usual media engagements.

"Fernando is concentrating on regaining full health for Friday and his anticipated return to the AMR24 for the second free practice session," the team stated.

Brazilian reserve driver Felipe Drugovich was already set to take Alonso's place during the first practice session.

While Sunday marks Alonso's 400th race weekend, he has officially started only 396 races to date. He was unable to restart the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix with Minardi, missed the notorious six-car 2005 U.S. Grand Prix with Renault, and did not participate in the 2017 Russian Grand Prix due to a McLaren engine failure before the race commenced.

Alonso, who made his debut with Minardi in 2001 and secured his championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006, has participated in over a third of all World Championship Grands Prix since the inaugural event in 1950. With 32 victories to his name, his most recent win occurred in Spain with Ferrari in 2013.

"Championships and race victories are paramount for us as drivers, but they also reflect my passion for the sport and the discipline I have maintained to compete at a high level for more than two decades," he remarked in a team Q&A.

"I do not anticipate reaching another 400 races, but I hope to participate in at least another 40 or 50 races in the coming years."

As the oldest active driver in Formula One, Alonso is also distinguished for his achievements in other racing series. He is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota, a world endurance champion, and in 2017, he led the Indianapolis 500 for 27 laps before experiencing an engine failure. In 2020, he finished 13th in the Dakar Rally.

"I believe that modern Formula One is less physically demanding than in previous eras, which enables drivers to compete for a longer duration," he commented.

The physical demands of the sport remain significant; however, advancements in technology within Formula 1 have made the vehicles somewhat more accommodating for the drivers. Enhancements in seat comfort, safety gear, and helmets have all contributed to a notable improvement in overall conditions.

SportsLigue