Fernando Alonso addressed how newer Formula 1 fans might perceive his and Nico Hulkenberg’s potential future victories, stressing that winning races remains the core motivation behind his approach. Despite his 32 career wins and Hulkenberg earning his first podium at Silverstone in July, Alonso emphasized that team performance, rather than fan opinion, guides his mindset.
While the popularity of Formula 1 has grown, especially following the success of the Netflix series Drive to Survive, Alonso highlighted that he values fans worldwide but does not let their views influence his goals on the track.
The Reality Behind Racing Success and Formula 1 Performance
Alonso pointed out that many newer fans may not have witnessed his race wins firsthand, creating a disconnect in understanding the demands at the top level. When asked about the potential for him or Hulkenberg to return to winning ways, Alonso refrained from focusing on public expectations, stating,
“I don’t think there is a straightforward answer,”
—Fernando Alonso, Two-Time World Champion
He further explained that neither he nor Hulkenberg prioritize fans’ opinions as much as the continuous effort to collaborate with their teams and deliver strong performances. Alonso described their routine of consistent training, nutrition, simulator work, and travel, illustrating the discipline required to compete at the highest level.
He elaborated,
“We only try to win races, try to work with our team the best we can, and deliver the performance.”
—Fernando Alonso, Two-Time World Champion
Insights into Fans’ Perception Versus Team Realities
Alonso acknowledged that fans watching from afar do not see the full complexity of F1 competition, especially the significant differences in car performance between teams. He explained that should he and Hulkenberg acquire a dominant car in the future and string together multiple wins, the public might attribute their success to unlikely factors such as sudden training changes or winter breakthroughs, which isn’t an accurate reflection of reality.
He said,
“When we achieve the result, we just try to share it with them and our fans around the world — but they are not in our priority. And it cannot sound rude to anyone — we love the fans — but we don’t think about if they realise how good or bad we drive. That is more for the team and the technical aspect of the sport, I think.”
—Fernando Alonso, Two-Time World Champion
This reveals Alonso’s deep focus on internal team dynamics and performance metrics rather than external perceptions.
Nico Hulkenberg Reflects on the Unpredictability of Race Success
Alongside Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg commented on the unpredictable nature of race results and the challenges of judging a driver’s form based on a single event or portrayal. He related the topic to references made about Drive to Survive, noting no direct correlation between the movie’s narrative and actual career achievements or results.
Hulkenberg stated,
“I’m not sure I understood the question properly, but I think there’s no correlation between the movie and between experienced drivers or older drivers and recent results.”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Formula 1 Driver
He added that outcomes vary week to week depending on car performance, track conditions, and race circumstances. Reflecting on his own Silverstone podium, he commented,
“It just always happens circumstantial — what your relative car performance is, how your weekend goes. We just came out on the right side of it [at Silverstone], but it could be very different [in future]. It’s different every time, and you just try to optimise and maximise what you have, like Fernando says.”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Formula 1 Driver
Understanding the Importance of Team and Consistency in F1
The views expressed by Alonso and Hulkenberg reveal the harsh realities behind the glamour of Formula 1 racing. Success depends heavily on the collaboration within teams, engineering excellence, and relentless daily preparation rather than relying on fan applause or media narratives. Their candid reflections highlight the complexity of maintaining top form in a sport defined by technological competition and split-second decisions.
As the Formula 1 driver market evolves, with contracts and line-ups shifting ahead of the 2026 season, Alonso’s determination to focus on winning rather than external validation underlines his disciplined approach amid growing public interest fueled by popular culture like Netflix’s documentaries.