Verstappen’s titles carry more weight than Hamilton’s, believes Alonso

That Fernando Alonso is a big fan of Max Verstappen is no secret. He also expressed his admiration for the young Dutchman before the Mexican Grand Prix, not forgetting, of course, to take a dig at his long-time rival Lewis Hamilton.

The feud between Hamilton and Alonso has been going on since the very beginning of the Briton’s career. Back in 2007, they raced together in McLaren colours. The super-talented rookie alongside the double world champion.

Back then, both drivers finished just behind Kimi Räikönen with 109 points. The Spanish driver left the team immediately after the season, while Hamilton stayed with the team and won his first of seven championships in 2008.

Even the Stevenage native’s other successes did not make much of an impression on Alonso. Verstappen’s two titles carry more weight than Hamilton’s seven, he said.

“I have a lot of respect for Lewis, but he has only ever fought for his titles with his teammate. I think that so many titles then don’t carry as much weight as fewer titles after a battle with another driver in the same or better machinery,” RacingNews365 quoted Alonso as saying.

“In 2005 and 2006 I built up a lead at the beginning. I was then able to maintain that lead over the others who had faster machines. I never competed with my teammate. Even Max never fought with Pérez or Albon for the race win,” added the Spaniard.

Alonso scored a total of 133 points in the 2005 season (in the F1 scoring at the time – ed.) and defended first place ahead of Räikkönen by 21 points.

In the following season, the battle was a bit more even, but not by much in terms of results. Alonso scored one more point than in the previous season and took a 13-point lead over second-placed Michael Schumacher.

The seven-time champion did not let Alonso’s comments go unanswered. He tweeted a photo from the 2007 US VC as a reminder that he emerged victorious from their duel in the same car.

F1, RacingNews365