Max Verstappen at COTA. Photo: RacePictures

Alonso outlines what makes Verstappen 'such an incredible driver'

12:47, 23 Oct

Updated: 13:15, 23 Oct

byTobia Elia

Fernando Alonso was full of praise for Max Verstappen, outlining exactly what makes the Dutchman such a special driver.

"He’s one of the best drivers in the history of the sport. He’s able to extract the maximum from the car."

- Fernando Alonso

Speaking to the media on the eve of the Austin weekend, the Spaniard told GPblog: "He's a four-time world champion, first of all. That’s not a casual thing. He’s one of the best drivers in the history of the sport. I think he’s able to extract the maximum from the car.

"When the car is a dominant car, he can win the championship and break some records along the season. And when the car is not that good or not the fastest, he still provides the good lap in qualifying, or the good race, the good fight. He’s at a very good level, very high level."

Alonso pointed out that Verstappen is currently fighting against a superior car, but also recalled the example of Abu Dhabi 2021 — when the Dutchman snatched the title from Hamilton despite Mercedes being the stronger package in the closing stages of that season.

Fernando Alonso during the United States Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"This year he's obviously fighting against a superior car, which is the McLaren. But, yeah, if it comes to the last race or whatever and they are tight on points, maybe in that moment he becomes the man to follow.

"As I said before, I think the two McLarens have enough advantage on the car to fight between them. But with Max, that can happen, as we saw in 2021 when the car was a little bit less performing than the Mercedes. He still won the championship in Abu Dhabi."

Alonso gives verdict: will Verstappen be world champion in 2025?

Beyond outlining what, in his view, makes Verstappen such a phenomenal driver, the two-time world champion also weighed in on the Dutchman’s chances of clinching the 2025 title — a feat that would place him among an elite group of five-time world champions.

While Alonso made it clear that the two McLarens remain the favourites, he also stressed that if there’s one driver capable of turning a seemingly settled season on its head, it’s Verstappen.

GPblog’s Latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to keep up with everything happening inside the F1 paddock? GPblog’s F1 Paddock Update has you covered. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.