In a show of support, Max Verstappen has voiced his backing for Fernando Alonso to end his winless streak in Formula 1, in the event that Verstappen himself is unable to secure a victory.
Verstappen currently holds a commanding lead in the Drivers’ championship, with a 53-point advantage, thanks to his impressive record of five wins in the first seven races. His Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, has clinched the remaining two victories.
Red Bull’s dominant performance this season has led to speculations about the team potentially achieving an unprecedented feat of winning every race in a single season. However, when asked about his preferred winner in a hypothetical scenario where he couldn’t secure a win, Verstappen, during media interactions that included eurosportplux.com, expressed his preference for Fernando Alonso.
“I have great admiration for him as a true racer, and I genuinely believe he deserves it,” Verstappen expressed. “His perseverance is remarkable, as he never gave up despite facing numerous challenges.”
“It’s evident that his passion for the sport remains intact. When you spend years driving cars that can only compete in the midfield, sometimes that love diminishes.”
“But he’s a genuine racer, an absolute force. So, if I had to choose one driver whom I’d love to see claim a victory this year, it would unquestionably be Fernando.”
max Verstappen on Alonso’s Monaco chance
At the Monaco Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso came remarkably close to ending Red Bull’s winning streak. The race presented a challenging situation with changing weather conditions, and a crucial decision between using slick tires or intermediates. Ultimately, Max Verstappen benefited from a 50-50 call that went in his favor.
Verstappen acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, expressing agreement with Alonso’s post-race comments. As a two-time champion himself, Verstappen understood the risks involved in pitting too early and emphasized the preference for timing the pit stop just right. He revealed his thoughts during the race, stating, “Before I pitted, I was thinking that if the rain stopped at that moment, I wouldn’t want to switch tires.”
