Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso and reporter Melissa Jiménez are reportedly expecting their first child, according to various Spanish media outlets. Jiménez, who works for the Spanish branch of DAZN, has been absent from the paddock for several weeks. The couple, who have been together for two years, are said to be welcoming a son or daughter in March. This will be the first time the 44-year-old Alonso becomes a father.
Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Melissa Jiménez and Fernando Alonso are expecting a child. The Spanish journalist has not appeared on camera for Formula 1 in recent weeks, nor has she been spotted in the paddock. Entertainment platform ¡Hola! reports that the 38-year-old Jiménez is six months pregnant and will give birth to her first child with Fernando Alonso in March. She already has three children from a previous marriage to footballer Marc Bartra. The two-time Formula 1 champion is set to become a father for the first time.
Famed Suzuka Moment
If Fernando Alonso does indeed welcome a child next year, he will only be the third father on the current Formula 1 grid. Only Nico Hülkenberg and Max Verstappen have preceded him in this; the Dutchman became a father to daughter Lily this year. Naturally, the question arises as to what starting a family means for Alonso’s future. The Spanish star has been flirting with retirement for a while, and once suggested that drivers slow down once they start having children.
Almost twenty years ago, a young Fernando Alonso overtook rival Michael Schumacher during the Japanese Grand Prix. A daring maneuver in the notorious 130R corner earned the Spaniard a spot on the podium. After the race, journalists at Suzuka asked how Alonso knew the move wouldn’t result in a crash. “I knew he (Schumacher) would brake because he has a wife and two children at home,” he coolly responded.
