While Oscar Piastri leads the standings with a 63-point advantage and McLaren has already clinched the Constructors’ Championship, Alonso is convinced that the Red Bull driver is far from out of contention. He believes Verstappen’s experience and mindset could make a difference in the final stretch of the season.
Alonso’s take on the championship battle
Fernando Alonso highlighted that at this stage of the championship, “it’s difficult to predict who will win” among Piastri, Verstappen, and Lando Norris. He added that while the two McLaren drivers have a slight edge, Max is an incredible driver: if anyone can bridge the gap of the car, it’s him.
The Spaniard recalled 2021, when Max Verstappen triumphed in Abu Dhabi against a faster Mercedes: “As we saw in 2021, even when his car was less competitive than Mercedes, he still managed to win the championship. He is one of the best in the history of this sport.” – the former Ferrari driver pointed out ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso continued: “He always knows how to get the most out of the car. When the car is dominant, he wins and breaks records; when it isn’t, he still makes a difference in qualifying or in the race. If it comes down to the final and they are tied on points, that’s when he becomes the driver to watch.”
According to Fernando Alonso, the final races completely change the atmosphere: “When you’re fighting for the championship, you can no longer afford mistakes. Every detail counts.”
The pressure point
Whether chasing or defending a lead, the pressure is immense. And perhaps it’s precisely there, where others falter, that Verstappen could still write his most unexpected comeback.
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