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Fernando Alonso claims Max Verstappen needs a miracle to aid his championship bid. Photo: RacePictures.

Alonso: Verstappen the miracle chaser, pressure is on McLaren

14:33, 18 Oct

Updated: 14:59, 18 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Fernando Alonso thinks that Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen needs help from McLaren to win the title this year.

In the remaining six races, there is hope, but you need to have some help from the leaders.

- Fernando Alonso

Having taken 41 points off Oscar Piastri's lead in the Drivers' Standings in the past three races, Verstappen seems to be reeling himself back into the title fight he many times claimed was off the table.

Alonso, while perceiving the chance the four-time world champion has, he also judges that due to factors including McLaren's superiority Verstappen needs to hope for a miracle to clinch what would be a record-qualling fifth back-to-back Drivers' crown.

He said: "No, [there's not more pressure on the driver chasing] I don’t think so. If you are not leading the championship by now, it’s because you didn’t have the best car.

"So you need to wait for something unexpected, or a small miracle, because you've been chasing the leader with not the best car by race 18 — or whatever it is now. So in the remaining six races, there is hope, but you need to have some help from the leaders."

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Fernando Alonso placed P6 at the Sprint qualifying session. Photo: RacePictures.

When queried on what position he'd rather be in, hunter or hunted, Alonso was clear.

He said: "I prefer to be leading the championship. If I'm leading the championship with the best car, I will not lose it." A statement that might've piled up even more pressure on Piastri and teammate/title rival Norris.

Aloonso agrees with Marko

Dr Helmut Markop, Red Bull Racing's chief advisor, issued statements similar in sentiment to those of Alonso.

When asked regarding Verstappen's chances in the title, the Austrian wondered what the Standings would look like had the Austrian team's turn around come sooner before stating that the reigning F1 champion could use McLaren's hand in the title fight.

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