Despite Age-Defying Brilliance, Fernando Alonso “Too Old” to Race Against Max Verstappen

Sometimes, it feels like sports are the creators of the Curious Cases of Benjamin Buttons. Almost every sport has these athletes who seem to be aging backward, getting better as they get older. In football, it was Tom Brady. And in tennis, it’s Novak Djokovic. In soccer, it’s Luka Modric. And in Formula 1, it’s Fernando Alonso. As a 42-year-old whose professional racing career has spanned 22 years (and counting), the Spaniard is showing no signs of slowing down. The best part is he’s getting the better of drivers almost half his age. There’s just one driver he hasn’t beaten this year, and it’s the reigning champion.

Max Verstappen is a generational talent. Since he joined F1 in 2015, he’s been defying the odds. But since Alonso returned to the sport in 2021, so is he. They’re both fierce competitors who stop at nothing to win. It begs the question: can they go against each other in the same team?

Is a Verstappen-Alonso partnership in F1’s cards?

Red Bull has been close to invincible this season. Verstappen has been leading its charge and has faced almost no competition throughout, even from his teammate. When Aston Martin was the second-best car at the start of the season, Alonso made it a habit of finishing on the podium next to Verstappen. Seeing how no one other than him was coming close to the Dutchman, Helmut Marko and many others stated that Alonso (and Lewis Hamilton) were the only drivers capable of challenging Verstappen.

As the season progressed, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc came into the conversation as well. With the prospect of Norris joining Red Bull, Marko said how the Brit joining Red Bull would ruin the clear hierarchy of the team, implying that Norris could challenge Verstappen. If you consider Alonso in place of Norris, will that affect the hierarchy as well? Most probably, yes. It’s Fernando Alonso. Against Max Verstappen. A rivalry between them will be nothing short of thrilling and explosive. As exciting as that is to think about, unfortunately, it might never happen.

Speaking on Ziggo Sport’s ‘Race Cafe,’ F1 presenter Rob Kamphues gave his thoughts on the prospect. He said, “Surely, he is a touch too old, with all due respect. I would love [a Verstappen-Alonso pairing]. I am a fan of Alonso, but I don’t see it happening.” There’s no way Verstappen would leave Red Bull. Considering the team’s policy of bringing in younger talent (with the exception of Sergio Perez), Alonso’s chances of a Red Bull recruitment are close to zero. It’s not Alonso’s talent that’s the problem (he’s more than capable of taking the fight to Verstappen). It’s his age.

Read More: Max Verstappen’s Golden Record Belittled as Ferocious Fernando Alonso Judged to Destroy Red Bull

However, his age hasn’t stopped him from chasing what he really wants, what he’s wanted since his comeback in 2021—a 33rd career win. While a potential partnership with Verstappen may not be in the cards, Alosno’s close ally believes a win sure is.

Can Fernando Alonso emulate Carlos Sainz’s Singapore heroics?

Going into the Singapore GP—the 15th race of the season—Red Bull was on a 15-race-winning streak. Verstappen was on a 10-race-winning streak. Every other team and driver was on a sum total of zero for the season. That was until the Marina Bay Circuit caught the Milton-Keynes team off-guard, allowing Carlos Sainz to capitalize. And capitalize, he did. After securing pole position, he drove a faultless race to become the first non-Red Bull race winner of 2023. Watching the Spaniard carry out a masterclass, another Spanish driver placed his bets on Alonso.

In an interview with AS, Corvette Racing driver Antonio Garcia—a close friend of Alonso’s—was asked if a 33rd victory for Alonso is possible in the near future. Garcia replied, “I think now, yes. There has to be a situation in which Verstappen or the car doesn’t have a great day, and he will be there. Let’s hope he plays the flute in some race because he already plays and deserves it.” For how much work Alonso’s putting in to stay fit at 42, competing in a sport that tests physical and mental limits, there’s no doubt the two-time champion deserves to be a 33-time race winner.

Watch This Story: Does Fernando Alonso Believe He Can Be a 3-time World Champion?

Would you like to see a Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen partnership? Which do you think will come first? That or Alonso’s 33rd victory?