Fernando Alonso is very clear about who is the reference driver on the grid today: Max Verstappen. And he is also aware that the Spaniard is the real boss and that with a little more luck he would have won several more titles.
Formula 1 has a new king and that is Max Verstappen. After beating Lewis Hamilton in extremis in 2021, this year the Dutch driver is dominating Ferrari and already this weekend he has his first opportunity to proclaim himself two-time world champion in Singapore.
Figures similar to those of Fernando Alonso at his age. The Asturian rider looked like he was going to break all the records after winning his second title in 2006, but since then things have not gone as expected.
“He still won two titles, so I think he has done very well. And he’s also a great guy and a great personality for F1.”
The following year, at McLaren, he lost the title in the last race against Kimi Räikkönen and the same thing happened to him in 2010 and 2012 against Sebastian Vettel. Now, Fernando Alonso is about to become the driver with the most races in Formula 1, but he is still anchored in the two world titles.
“He’s 24 or 25 years old, isn’t he? So she still has a lot ahead of her. But I wish him more luck than me because I had those stats too at 26 and I still have the same stats at 40!”wanted Fernando Alonso on Thursday afternoon when asked by Max Verstappen.
“I am sure that with Red Bull and how things look in the future, it will improve them. It is well deserved. They are the best team and the best driver by far, so when they win it, I don’t think it’s a big deal, it’s just that they will. Either here or in Japan,” he added.
Statistics of Alonso and Verstappen with 25 years
*Assuming he will win the 2022 title.
Fernando Alonso deserved more
Subsequently, Max Verstappen was informed of the words of Fernando Alonso, a driver who has always held the Dutchman in high regard. And, since the feeling is mutual, the Red Bull leader returned the praise to the Alpine leader.
“In F1, you need a bit of luck. Y you need to be lucky enough to make the right decision and then have a dominant car for a long time.”reflected on the trajectory of Fernando Alonso.
“Obviously, if you had put Fernando in the cars with which other drivers have won championships, he would have done the same.. But that’s not how F1 works,” lamented Max Verstappen.
“He still won two titles, so I think he has done very well. And he’s also a great guy and a great personality for F1.”concluded the one that is now destined to pick up the witness of Lewis Hamilton as leader of the category.
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Photos: Red Bull Content Pool | Alpine F1 Team