Twenty are the seasons that Fernando Alonso has been competing in Formula 1. Twenty, in which it has experienced success and the darkest era of a team like McLaren, in which it has won two World Cups and has achieved numerous podiums, pole positions and victories. Twenty in which faces have been seen with other great pilots. with others of the best in history of this sport.
With some of the stature of Michael Schumacher, a dominator with a Ferrari that seemed unstoppable to all but him and Renault. With, also, Kimi Raikkonen. He shared with him the team, as he did with Lewis Hamilton, in the end also seven-time world champion. With Sebastian Vettel, four-time champion, with an unforgettable finish in 2012. And, of course, now against Max Verstappen.
Yes, all of them more than great. Because, as they say, one’s level is measured not only by what one is capable of achieving but also by who one is fighting against. because the greatness It is measured by how big the ones in front of you are.
From Schumacher to Verstappen
In that sense, there was no one greater than Michael Schumacher. With seven titles to his credit, the German lost to Fernando Alonso in 2005 and, above all, in 2006. The Kaiser succumbed to the rebellion of the then young driver from Oviedo and a Renault team that crowned even on two occasions to Asturias.
But then Hamilton. Then McLaren. Then a pilot, rookie, who was held in high esteem in Woking. The team self-destructed, and what could have been Lewis’s first or Alonso’s third became Raikkonen’s title. In the latest Ferrari title.
In 2010 and in 2012, with Alonso, they were more than close. But Sebastian Vettel beat them. In Abu Dhabi first; then in Brazil. It was the last year that Fernando was fighting for the title until the end.
At least the last one so far. The future is unpredictable, and the present, in Aston Martin, more than positive for both a team and a driver who didn’t think they would be where they are so soon. there it appears Max Verstappen. The young talent that not a few compare with Ayrton Senna and who can match the three titles of the Brazilian in 2023.
“He dominated this sport”
However, Alonso, in words for ‘Bang & Olufsen’, is very clear: “My biggest rival? Schumacher. It was my first big duel in F1. He dominated this sport.”
Unforgettable are his fights like the one at the San Marino GP, and equally unforgettable was the overtaking that Alonso left in the 130R of Japan.
