“This is Not the Olympic Games” – Fernando Alonso Slams F1 Criticism of His Age

After four disappointing years with McLaren, Fernando Alonso shocked the whole F1 community by announcing his retirement from the sport. The Spaniard disclosed his desire to compete at Le Mans, Dakar Rally, and IndyCar.

Although after two years of absence from the grid, Fernando Alonso, at the age of 40, made his return to the pinnacle of motorsport with new/rebranded Alpine this season. The two-time world champion endured a tough start to life on his return to F1, but slowly and gradually Alonso gets his groove back. The Spaniard has now scored consecutively on six race weekends, which is the best of any driver on the grid.

Alonso has proved on numerous occasions for him the age is just a number. And despite securing his best finish after his return to the sport at Hungarian GP, the Spaniard was again questioned regarding his age. In response to his critics, Fernando Alonso revealed that he’ll defeat his younger self single-handed.

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What did Fernando Alonso say?

As quoted by The Race, when asked about his age ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso replied: “It seems that the sport and how social media is now, we seem to get confused about the age or the performance that a sportsman can do.”

“This is not the Tour De France, this is not the Olympic Games, this is not football, where at 23 you are at the peak of your performance.”

“If I race myself now against myself of 23, I will beat him with one hand. It’s not the same for myself only. I guess everyone will give you the same answer. It’s not the younger you are, the quicker you are. This is not how the stopwatch works in motorsport,” added the two-time world champion.

Alonso will screw Lewis Hamilton again if he can: Jack Plooij

During the Hungarian GP, Fernando Alonso showcased massive resilience to keep his old rival and the seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at bay. He held back the Briton for ten laps, which subsequently helped his teammate, Esteban Ocon, to secure his maiden Formula 1 victory.

Meanwhile, the Ziggo Sport broadcaster, Jack Plooij, believes the two-time world champion will screw Lewis Hamilton again this season if he gets the opportunity to do so.

“Absolutely. He holds a grudge against Hamilton. Those two are like water and fire. So he thinks: ‘If I can screw over Hamilton, I will’,” said Jack Plooij.

Currently, Fernando Alonso sits P11 in the driver’s championship just one point behind his teammate, Esteban Ocon.

Read More: It Took Me 10 Years to Feel Like I Belong in the ‘Strange’ World of F1: Fernando Alonso

Can Fernando Alonso continue to impress with outstanding performances this season? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.