Max Verstappen remains one of the most highly regarded drivers in Formula 1, even after losing his four-year grip on the championship title. His reputation hasn’t dipped at all, especially since he finished just two points short of pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in F1 history.
Max Verstappen remains one of the most highly regarded drivers in Formula 1, even after losing his four-year grip on the championship title.
His reputation hasn’t dipped at all, especially since he finished just two points short of pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in F1 history.
That kind of consistency over five seasons is remarkable. Only three drivers in history have more world titles than Verstappen, and only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have more race wins.
He’s already one of the best to ever do it, and if he decides to stay in F1 long-term, he has a genuine shot at breaking every record going. But there’s a lot to suggest he won’t be around for that much longer.
Flavio Briatore Praises ‘Phenomenon’ Fernando Alonso
Flavio Briatore has worked closely with two of F1’s most significant talents. He was responsible for bringing Michael Schumacher into Benetton back in 1991 and played a key role in his first two title wins.
Later, when Renault acquired the team, Briatore made the bold decision to replace Jenson Button with Fernando Alonso, a move that paid off handsomely.
Alonso delivered immediately, capturing back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006. At the time, he was the youngest driver to achieve such a milestone.
Briatore told AS: “Young Fernando was a phenomenon, on par with Senna and Schumacher, and later Verstappen. But old Alonso is still pretty good.”
Flavio Briatore: ‘If Alpine can’t win, I’ll be supporting Fernando Alonso’
Although Flavio Briatore is the boss at Alpine, he also manages Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Two decades after his last title, the Spaniard still believes a third championship isn’t out of reach before he calls time on his career.
Aston Martin have big ambitions under the new regulations, fuelled by heavy investment from owner Lawrence Stroll. The operation is now led by Adrian Newey, who many consider to be the best designer F1 has ever seen.
When asked if he would support Alonso if Alpine aren’t in contention, Briatore said without hesitation: “One hundred percent.”
But Aston Martin face a challenging road ahead. Their preparations for 2026 haven’t gone smoothly, and with Alonso in the final year of his contract, time is running short for him to add another title to his legacy.
Briatore also made it clear that there are no more ‘excuses’ for Alpine after their switch from Renault’s underpowered engine to Mercedes’s highly rated power unit.
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Category: General Sports
