The Aston Martin driver talks about the two other world champions who are active on the 2023 grid.
Fernando Alonso says neither Lewis Hamilton nor Max Verstappen have built truly great Formula 1 teams and their success depends on “timing”.
Between them, Hamilton and Verstappen have won every world title since 2014, with the exception of Nico Rosberg in 2016, Verstappen won his third title in 2023 after a record 10 consecutive victories.
Alonso’s Aston Martin was closest to Red Bull and Verstappen’s RB19 at the start of the season, but is now vying with Hamilton for third place among the Drivers.
Hamilton and Alonso were team-mates during Hamilton’s 2007 season, but Alonso believes the seven-time world champion is now “creating nothing” at Mercedes after McLaren in 2013.
Alonso’s statement about Hamilton and Verstappen
“It is often said that certain drivers build winning teams,” Alonso told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “But when Lewis moved to Mercedes in 2013, he created nothing.
“He benefited from the rule change the following year, and in Max’s case, when he moved from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, Hamilton continued to dominate.
“Max failed to dominate Red Bull. In 2021, they were tied [with Hamilton and Mercedes], but after recent rule changes, Red Bull has started winning races.”
“I think it has more to do with the rules than the driver’s opinion or driving style. Timing is everything.”
Alonso also discussed Aston Martin’s impending powertrain deal with Honda for 2026 and the opportunities that regulation changes could bring, but insisted Red Bull had to stumble.
“Red Bull must make mistakes and deviate from its current trajectory,” he said.
“We also have progress to make and we will continue to do so over the winter, and I am very optimistic about our future.”
It’s worth pointing out that Hamilton was responsible for helping Mercedes prepare and stay ahead throughout their dominant run, while Verstappen took 10 wins en route to the 2021 title, a year before the introduction of the regulations on ground effect.
