Fernando Alonso has revealed that he expecting his first child with F1 presenter girlfriend Melissa Jimenez.
Alonso, who reportedly began his relationship with the broadcast journalist shortly after announcing his split from Andrea Schlager in 2023, is now getting ready to become a father after the pulsating F1 season drew to a close in Abu Dhabi last week.
Eager to keep their relationship private, Alonso and Jimenez, a 38-year-old Spanish reporter who hosts DAZN’s F1 coverage, waited until the end of the season to confirm they are expecting their first child together in March 2026.
According to Spanish magazine Hola, Jimenez is currently living with Alonso, 44, in Monaco with her young children from a previous marriage.
The Spanish journalist, who is the daughter of MotoGP veteran Antonio Jimenez and fluent in several languages including English, French, Italian and Catalan, shares three kids with former Barcelona footballer Marc Bartra.
Fernando Alonso has revealed that he expecting his first child with his F1 presenter girlfriend
Melissa Jimenez, 38, reportedly began dating the 44-year-old Aston Martin driver in 2023
It is believed sparks initially flew between Alonso and Jimenez after they met in the F1 paddock
Having first met in 2014, Bartra and Jimenez welcomed daughters Gala and Abril in 2015 and 2018 respectively, before later having son Max in 2019.
Jimenez separated from the Champions League winner in 2021, calling time on her six-year marriage at the end of 2021 amid claims he had an affair with Catalan supermodel Jessica Goicoechea, with whom he is now in an on-off relationship.
It is believed sparks initially flew between Alonso and Jimenez after the pair met in the F1 paddock while she was reporting for DAZN.
Jimenez had previously worked for networks including 25TV, Sky Italia and Telecinco.
Ahead of welcoming his first child in March, Alonso had dropped hints that his F1 career might be heading towards a conclusion.
The Spanish veteran, who has retained his seat with Aston Martin ahead of next season, opened up on his future in an interview with AS in September.
He said: ‘It depends on how I feel next year, how I feel physically and mentally. But I don’t know. I don’t have a clear idea right now. If the car goes well, there’s a good chance it will be my last year.’
Asked if he would prefer to bow out after a successful campaign, he said: ‘Yes. I know I have a better chance of doing well in 2027 or 2028, when there’s stability in the team we have now with Adrian Newey and the others.
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Jimenez already shares three children with former Barcelona footballer Marc Bartra (above)
Jimenez separated from Bartra in 2021, calling time on their six-year marriage at the end of 2021 amid claims he had an affair with Catalan supermodel Jessica Goicoechea (above)
‘They might do well in the first year, but by the second or third, they’re guaranteed to do well. But I have to consider it myself.
‘If the car goes badly, there’s a good chance I’ll stay for another year to finish on a positive note. If the car goes well, 2026 will probably be my last year.’