USA’s Racing Icon Predicts 42-Year-Old Fernando Alonso Will Initiate Max Verstappen’s Downfall

“Winning all the Grands Prix in one season is something no one has ever managed to do. They’ll keep saying they don’t think about it, but they wish they did,” said Damon Hill a few weeks ago. Of course, this was before the Singapore GP, where Carlos Sainz became the first non-Red Bull race winner in 2023. When Hill said this, he added, “My experience says that Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton could end their winning streak.” He wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said something similar as well. Red Bull’s streak may have ended, but someone in the Fernando Alonso camp feels his next win is only a matter of time away.

With how good Aston Martin and Alonso were at the start of the season, everyone thought they’d be the ones to break Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s momentum. Instead, Aston Martin’s development faltered, and it’s now barely hanging on to P4 in the championship. Even so, one of Alonso’s best friends believes in him.

Alonso’s 33rd win will come at the cost of Verstappen

Spanish racing legend Antonio Garcia has called the US his home since 2009 when he signed with Corvette Racing. 14 years later, he’s still in the circuit with Corvette and has established himself as a racing icon in the US. As a 43-year-old, his career has been a lot like Alonso’s. With three Le Mans victories, three Daytona wins, and four 12 Hours of Sebring titles, he closely rivals Alonso’s two F1 championships, two Le Mans, and one Daytona. While they may have grown up as rivals, they’re now really good friends. Garcia shed light on their friendship in an interview with AS.

When asked if Alonso’s comeback has been better than expected, Garcia said, “He has always been very good. What happened is that before, he had a car to do sixth after a race, and now he regularly makes podiums. Always been hungry.” [Translated by Google] Yes, Aston Martin dropped the ball mid-season, but that hasn’t stopped Alonso’s hunger to succeed. To win that 33rd race, he’s been gunning for since 2013. So, when Garcia was asked if the 33rd victory is in the cards in the near future, he said, “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.”

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That’s precisely what happened in Singapore, where Red Bull struggled, and Alonso’s compatriot Sainz took full advantage. Garcia knows Red Bull has been close to invincible this season. So, unless something goes wrong like it did in Singapore, getting the better of the team wouldn’t be too feasible. But when it does happen, he believes the 42-year-old will be there to capitalize. For that to be possible, though, Aston Martin needs to get back in form. The good thing is that Alonso is hopeful of what’s coming.

Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin are all in for the remainder of 2023

Aston Martin started the season as the second-best car. Now, it’s probably the fifth-best. The Silverstone outfit saw itself stumble from P2 to P3 to, now, P4 in the Constructors’ Championship. Following the overtakes by Mercedes and Ferrari, McLaren is now within touching distance. With six races to go—three Sprint weekends—McLaren is just 49 points adrift. Considering both its drivers are putting in commendable performances every weekend, and Aston Martin has only Alonso more often than not, the team is in trouble.

At the Japanese GP, Alonso started in P10 and crossed the line in P8. While his pace may not have looked too good, he felt he had more to extract. In an interview with F1, he said, “I think today we had a little bit more than the result shows. I think P6 and definitely P7 was possible. Obviously, McLaren is a little bit too far ahead at the moment, [but] everyone is working flat out in the factory to bring some new parts before the end of the season, so let’s see what we can bring.” McLaren has made quite the turnaround this season, and Aston Martin might have to hope for something similar to fend off the Woking outfit.

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Is win number 33 in the cards for Fernando Alonso this season?