A Formula 1 driver may often be left feeling the villain of the piece in some contexts. Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen certainly have.
Outspoken, fast, and brash to many, as well as both being champions, Alonso and Verstappen have perhaps made more enemies than other drivers in their time on the track.
Perhaps both men have felt misunderstood over time, and it may lead them to feel mutual respect for one another.
Ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, they openly discussed it to media including Motorsport Week, and spoke in glowing terms about each other’s careers, and perhaps why the two have that sense of strong mutual respect.
“I think coming from countries that they are not really into F1 so much, especially Spain, I would say, because Jos [Verstappen’s father] was already a master,” Alonso said.
“In fact, I raced with Jos a couple of years [2001 and 2003] and with Max, eight,” he laughed. “And yeah, I mean, it is a tough environment. And when you come here and you are you have some success at the beginning of your career and and maybe you are not the ‘good guy’, you know, if I can say.
“And maybe you’re not politically correct. You are not in the system. You are more yourself than what you should be, and I think it’s what I saw in Max as well.
“Obviously, a part of that strong personality, the results and the talent, not only in F1, also in the junior categories and from karting already that we all knew that it was this kid [is] coming.
“So, you know, that was always, you know, in my case, I had always a lot of respect.”
Verstappen respects Alonso for ‘what he is still doing at his age’
Verstappen traded the sentiments of Alonso and revealed that when he was still driving for Ferrari amid Red Bull’s first wave of dominance with Sebastian Vettel, it was Alonso who earned the Dutchman’s fandom.
“Yeah, I mean, there’s not that much more to add,” he said. “But what I what I like is just, I think Fernando’s mentality and just general personality is just himself, which I think is just very nice to deal with. You know, you see what you get.
“And of course, before I was in Formula 1, like [it] might sound a bit funny, but, you know, when Fernando was fighting against Red Bull, I was cheering for him to to do a good job! And, you know, being that underdog and still getting these results and dragging the car to wins when he shouldn’t. Yeah, it attracts you, I think, as a driver.
Verstappen made a quip aimed at Alonso’s 44 years of age, praising the level of competition he still brings despite his wealth of years on the track.
“You know, you like what you see is a proper fighter and he still is. I mean, I have a lot of respect for what Fernando is still doing at his age!
“Sorry. But yeah, it’s very nice to see, you know, to have that much passion for the sport.”
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