F1 News: Alonso Compares Verstappen To Michael Schumacher- "He'll Keep Adding Championships"

Alonso foresees a future of continued championships for Max Verstappen, hinting at a potential new era of dominance in F1 racing.

In a candid prelude to the Qatar Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso expressed a somewhat resigned admiration for Max Verstappen's stellar season, foreseeing a future where the young driver continues to amass championships. Alonso, who has raced wheel-to-wheel with legends like Michael Schumacher, offered a perspective that hinted at a potential era of domination by Verstappen, echoing sentiments of respect shared by fellow drivers.

Key Takeaways

• Verstappen's Unparalleled Season: Max Verstappen, praised by his peers, has demonstrated a remarkable performance this season, breaking numerous records and showcasing a level of driving that has set him apart from his competitors, with Sergio Perez noting that he has driven "on another level compared to anyone else."
• A Future of Continued Success for Max: Alonso, while congratulating Verstappen on his incredible season, anticipates that the young driver will continue to secure championships in the coming years, potentially aligning his achievements closely with those of racing legend, Michael Schumacher.
• Respect and Anticipation from Fellow Drivers: Both Pierre Gasly and Alonso expressed respect for Verstappen and Red Bull's accomplishments, acknowledging the team's high performance and minimal mistakes, while also subtly voicing a hope that the evident domination might meet its match in upcoming seasons.

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Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was first to acknowledge Verstappen's current performance on the track, stating:

"I think first of all, Max has done a tremendous job. I think no credit should be taken away from the season that he has done. I think he's driven on another level compared to anyone else." He also shared insights into his own season, revealing that since Barcelona, he has been grappling with some deficits with the car, often feeling like he was "always chasing the weekend."

Pierre Gasly, too, lauded Verstappen's season as one of "breaking records," acknowledging the talent and the high-level performance of the Red Bull team:

"And also the amount of mistakes they are [not] doing is just unmatched compared to any other team [...]

"Hopefully that domination can come to an end sooner rather than later."

Alonso's responses were notably succinct yet laden with unspoken implications:

"Big congratulations. What an incredible season, breaking so many records," he said, acknowledging the challenges Verstappen navigated, especially during races hit by unpredictable weather conditions. 

When pressed to compare Verstappen with legends like Schumacher, Hamilton, and Vettel, Alonso was reserved, stating:

"I think honestly, I've been only wheel-to-wheel with Michael."

Perhaps the most telling was Alonso's prediction for Verstappen's future when asked to compare the reigning champion to the legendary German driver:

"We have to wait and see. I think the next few years will be even better for Max. To be honest, he'll keep adding championships. So we will compare him to Michael even closer in the future," he forecasted, subtly indicating a future where Verstappen's name becomes synonymous with F1 greatness, much like Schumacher's.

The young Dutch driver will likely take his third consecutive championship this weekend. The only question is: will the domination return next season?