“Even Better Than Max”: Alonso’s Rare Quality That Places Him a Class Above Verstappen Revealed by F1 Journalist

In the nine years Max Verstappen has spent racing in Formula 1, one thing has been set in stone. He’ll deliver no matter what. Be it in qualifying or during the race. When his team expects him to perform, he’ll do it without thinking twice. Maybe that’s what sets him apart from every other driver on the grid. That’s certainly what’s given him the edge over his teammates. But just because he’s the best all-round driver right now doesn’t mean he’s the best at every aspect of racing. One of those aspects is where Fernando Alonso has the upper hand on the reigning champion. 

When it comes to Verstappen and Alonso, there are two things 2023 has proved. One, Verstappen will go down as one of the best drivers to race in F1. And two, Alonso still has what it takes to race at his very best, among the very best. No matter how many records Verstappen breaks, though, he might never live up to one quality Alonso has.

Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen have a few things in common

The Spaniard has never been known to be the best qualifier. But what he can’t achieve on a Saturday, he more than likely makes up for on Sunday. F1 journalist Peter Windsor even said, “He’s very, very good over the race distance. So long as he’s always got that, he’s never really bothered with anything else. For him, a weekend begins on race day.” Discussing how Alonso compares to Verstappen, F1 journalist Mark Hughes alluded to the same.

On The Race F1 Podcast, Hughes said, “[Alonso] shares with Verstappen that incredibly adaptive trait of being able to drive anything very, very fast. He will not let go of even the slightest opportunity. He will just be a complete pain for anybody he’s attacking. You can’t get rid of him.” That’s what makes them similar. But what sets them apart? “His racecraft is probably the best in the field. Maybe even better than Max’s, in the way that he places the car.”

Read More: After Demolishing Lewis Hamilton’s Astonishing Record, Max Verstappen Sets Sights on Fernando Alonso

Hughes continued, “He’s every aspect of being a great racing driver. Every little department you create, he scores 99% at everything.” Why else would his Sunday performances be so good? Case in point: the Dutch GP. After qualifying fifth, Alonso was up to second even before the first lap ended. He maintained that position through rain and shine, bringing the car home for another podium this season. Considering how good he’s doing in an Aston Martin—raking in all these remarkable performances—could he challenge Max in a Red Bull?

Can Fernando Alonso match Verstappen’s records in a Red Bull?

Alonso is a fighter. When it comes to going up against a driver, he doesn’t back down. He proved it in 2007 against Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. He’s proving it now against Hamilton and the rest of the drivers behind Verstappen. Addressing his fighting spirit on the podcast, Hughes said, “He’s just incredibly relentless, and he’s like a Terrier. He will not let go of even the slightest opportunity. He will just be a complete pain for anybody he’s attacking. You can’t get rid of him.”

With all the talk going around about no driving having the ability to beat Verstappen in Red Bull, Alonso’s name came up. Scott Mitchell-Malm said, “I think if you gave Alonso a car as good as the RB19, I think he would easily have a chance for rewriting records for most wins in a season. He would be the champion, for sure. Directly up against Verstappen in that car would be utterly fantastic.” As accurate as that may be, the Alonso-Verstappen pairing might not work. Because of how competitive they both are, “I also think it might absolutely be the end of Red Bull Racing! And cause a total collapse of it,” added Mitchell-Malm. 

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Who do you think will come out on top at Red Bull? Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso?