Much of Verstappen recognized in Alonso: 'Max Is the younger version of Fernando'

De la Rosa spoke to GPblog in Malaysia, shortly after it was announced that Alonso would continue driving for Aston Martin in 2027. Verstappen’s future was also discussed. The Dutchman has likewise extended his stay in Formula 1. When asked whether Verstappen can be compared to Alonso because of his importance to the sport, De la Rosa does not have to think for long: “Oh yes. I think Max is definitely one of the special ones, like Fernando. There are not many special ones, and Max definitely is one.”

The former Formula 1 driver sees just how much respect Verstappen commands within the sport: “I think the amount of respect that everyone has for Max is amazing. He's a four-time world champion, but even if he wasn't, everyone considers him the best, or maybe one of the best, which is not very common in this sport. And he won't win the title this year, but still he's considered the GOAT.”

The relationship between Verstappen and Alonso also comes up. The two have spoken about each other with great respect for years, and according to De la Rosa, they recognise a lot of themselves in one another: “ I think Fernando and Max have a great relationship because I think both see characteristics in each other that are very similar. Max is like a younger version of Fernando.”

For De la Rosa, the similarity lies mainly in what the two do when they are not behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Verstappen is continuing to expand his own GT racing programme with Verstappen Racing and confirmed in Malaysia, following questions from GPblog, that he will compete in Portimao himself. Alonso, too, has taken on several major ventures outside Formula 1 during his career.

De la Rosa did not recognise that trait from his own time as a Formula 1 driver: “I don't see many drivers like that, including myself. When I was racing in F1, I only had eyes for Formula 1. I had no space, I didn't want to go elsewhere,” he admits.

According to the 55-year-old Spaniard, talent alone is not enough to place Verstappen and Alonso in the same category: “I think the best drivers of all generations are in Formula 1, and you find such great talent. But there is great talent, and then there are special ones.”

For De la Rosa, there are currently only two drivers who belong in that latter category: “The special ones at the moment are only two. Maybe time will tell if Antonelli is one of them. Maybe time will tell if Lando (Norris) could be, or Leclerc. But for the time being, the only two great drivers that are different are Max and Fernando.”

De la Rosa’s comments are particularly timely because of the plans Alonso is reportedly considering outside Formula 1. The two-time world champion is being linked in Spain with participation in the 2027 Dakar Rally. Alonso would return to the rally with Aston Martin, having already competed there once in 2020, again with Marc Coma as his navigator.

In Malaysia, Alonso did not want to reveal exactly what he had planned, but he did make it clear to GPblog and others that he intends to take on challenges outside F1, citing Verstappen as an example: “I love challenges. As I said a few times, my way of understanding motorsport and my way of living in general is around racing cars. It has been like that all of my life.”

Alonso pointed to the various cars, tyres, engines and championships he has had to adapt to throughout his career. Besides Formula 1, he has raced prototypes, competed in IndyCar and taken part in the Dakar Rally.

The Spaniard concluded in Malaysia with a clear hint, although it has not been confirmed that he was referring to participating in the Dakar Rally: “Maybe you have more surprises in the next few weeks… There are things that people probably think that are impossible, but I want to find the limits of what is possible.”