3 World Champions have taken center stage in Formula 1 in 2023–Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen. The former two have a history that dates back to 16 years ago and the latter pair came into 2022 fresh off of neck-to-neck rivalry for the prized WDC. This year, because the Dutchman is too far ahead, the two former world champions have no choice but to fight against each other before ascending to his level. The on-track battle between Alonso and Hamilton is too close as of now to declare a clear winner. To change this and propel himself towards the top, the Spaniard has switched on the mind games.
Coming into the 2007 F1 World Championship, Fernando Alonso was probably the most confident driver on the grid. After all, he was riding the wave of euphoria following 2 consecutive world championships with Renault. But that confidence was the most short-lived one. The rookie who had hopped in the 2nd McLaren seat alongside him was Lewis Hamilton. And in his debut season, he outclassed Alonso to finish P2 in the WDC.
Fast-forward to 2023, they find themselves deadlocked in a tense battle to snatch Max Verstappen‘s thunder. At the recently concluded Dutch GP, home hero, Verstappen expectedly won the race. Behind him, Alonso cake-walked the battle against Hamilton, who had a stinker of a race. But in the post-race interview, the Aston Martin racer made quite an odd statement. “It is underestimated sometimes what Max is achieving,” Alonso said after Verstappen secured his 9th consecutive win.
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Addressing that statement, on his YouTube channel, Peter Windsor revealed the hidden intention behind it. He said, “In the back of Fernando’s mind still, is a little bit of angst with Lewis and it’s just his way of possibly saying a little bit of ‘Max is much better than Lewis’ without actually saying that. That’s the sort of thing Fernando would do or say. It’s more that than anything else.”
As the season swiftly moves ahead, the stakes are getting higher. Knowing that, Alonso has brought in an added element of challenge for his former teammate. Not only that, he has even shot warning signs to Verstappen.
Following a sublime Dutch GP, Fernando Alonso is optimistic about catching up with Max Verstappen
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Fernando Alonso got off to a beautiful start in 2023. Up till the Austrian GP, he had been on the podium on all but two occasions. But after the Canadian GP, his AMR23 went silent. However, after getting P2 at the Zandvoort a few days ago, he has regained full confidence and is ready to compete with the Dutchman.
Alonso told Sky Sports, “To be at the same level of him, obviously, we have a lot of self-confidence, drivers in general, so I do believe that I can do good as well. I think days like today, I felt that I was at my best and have been giving 100 percent of what I felt and my abilities on a racing car”
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Watch This Story: Max Verstappen’s Record Win: Takes a Shot at Lewis Hamilton After Dominant Dutch GP Victory
The Spaniard, despite being 42 years old, is looking more than determined to be the next big thing. Do you think his aspirations will be fulfilled before he retires?