F1 News: Fernando Alonso's Success Is Overhyped According To Former Champion

"I don’t think he’s as good as some of the press thinks he is."

1979 World Champion Jody Scheckter claimed that despite doing a "great job" Fernando Alonso is not as good as the press portrays him to be.

Alonso made a swift move from Alpine to Aston Martin this year. Since then, there has been no looking back for the 42-year-old as he had a great run to the season in the supposed second-fastest car on the grid. 

The 2023 season has witnessed 14 races so far out of which, Alonso scored seven podiums including three P2s! At 170 points, he is currently placed third in the Drivers' Championship Standings, thus proving that age is just another number.

However, Scheckter doesn't think that highly of Fernando Alonso. Speaking to Stats Perform, he revealed: 

“Fernando’s obviously very good.

"I didn’t like some of the stuff he did in his early career. I didn’t like it very much at all, actually.

"But he’s good, he’s aggressive. I don’t think he’s as good as some of the press think he is. But he’s doing a good job now, he’s doing a great job.”

While Scheckter's assessment seems pretty harsh, one must consider the present reality of an experienced racer like Alonso, who continues to deliver well despite the recent short break in his career. 

The Spaniard's past decisions might not have favoured him that well but, the career decision he made early this year has proved to be one of the best. Just recently, Alonso revealed how he was enjoying the current competitive season and how he wished to be on the podium this year. He added:

“I'm enjoying it and that's the most important thing. When I returned to F1, I had the desire to be competitive again, to fight for victories and podiums, which I had not done in my last years before the break, and now I am enjoying it to the fullest.

"I would love to be on the podium of the year."

Considering his age, it is truly a mark of a special racer that he hasn't chosen to contain himself in a comfort zone. And, he has shown that he still has the fire within to go out there and win.