Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso holds the record for most F1 races

Sao Paulo (AFP) - Two-time champion Fernando Alonso on Thursday welcomed the prospect of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton joining him in an exclusive club this weekend – the 400 Grands Prix club.

At Sao Paulo, the 45-year-old Spaniard will be racing for the 430th time, while the 41-year-old Hamilton will line up as only the second man to race 400.

“Lewis, obviously, has had an incredible career in Formula One and 400 races – all of them in a very competitive position. Congratulations to him and hopefully it’s a good race and good weekend for him.”

“More and more drivers, I think, will join the club with these very long calendars.”

Hamilton has driven for three teams in his career. He started 110 races for McLaren, winning 21 and the 2008 drivers’ title.

At Mercedes, he started 246 races, winning 84 on his way to six more titles, while at Ferrari he has started 43 races for one win.

He recently suggested he would extend his career into his mid-forties to race in an African Grand Prix.