Pat Symonds shares what absolutely amazed him when working with Fernando Alonso

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Legendary F1 engineer Pat Symonds has shared one thing that took his breath away when he worked with Fernando Alonso.

Symonds, who currently works as F1’s Chief Technical Officer, has previously worked for Renault and Williams.

And speaking on the Beyond the Grid Podcast, he shared one outstanding memory of his time alongside Alonso.

Symonds started out with the Toleman team in the 1980s and oversaw Ayrton Senna’s debut season in 1984.

The team subsequently became Benetton, delivering the first two world championships for Michael Schumacher, before a takeover from Renault.

Alonso joined in 2003 and then won back-to-back titles with the French manufacturer in 2005 and 2006.

As executive director of engineering, Symonds played a key role in the Spaniard’s success in that period.

Pat Symonds hails ‘remarkably intelligent’ Fernando Alonso

Symonds recalls that Alonso used to appear disengaged in team meetings before asking some of the ‘best’ questions he’s heard.

He always gave the impression that he had ‘everything’ under control.

“Fernando’s a complex character – very, very competitive, very intelligent, remarkably intelligent,” Symonds said.

“Fernando in a debrief used to amaze me because in the early days before I got to know him you’d sit in the debrief and think ‘he’s just not paying attention, just doesn’t seem to be with us’.

“And then he’d ask a question and you’d think ‘where on Earth did that come from, that is the best question I’ve heard a driver ever ask’.

“And you knew that he was absolutely on top of everything.”

Alonso in contention for 2025 Red Bull seat

18 years on from his most recent title win, and 11 years on from his last Grand Prix victory, Alonso remains in F1.

The 42-year-old is the oldest driver in the current field but continues to deliver for Aston Martin.

While he had a difficult weekend in Melbourne, earning a 20-second penalty for an incident with George Russell and suffering an off in qualifying, he’s still performed well this season.

Alonso sits seventh in the championship on 20 points, the majority of Aston Martin’s total (27).

His form has led to links with Red Bull, who must make a decision over the future of Sergio Perez as he approaches the end of his contract.

Rivals Mercedes are also trying to sign Max Verstappen to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Asked about his prospects of joining the world champions, Alonso told former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher that he was still ‘thinking’ about his future.

Behind the scenes, Christian Horner has reportedly made Alonso his top candidate to take over from Perez, and talks are at an ‘advanced’ stage.