Verstappen has great respect for Alonso: 'Nice to share front row'

Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso will share the front row of the grid at the start of a Grand Prix together for the first time in their careers. Verstappen says he will look out for the Spaniard because he knows how good he is at the start of a race.

During the FIA Press Conference race, Alonso praised Alpine's hard work. In Baku, the team came up with a new upgrade and it seems to be paying off. The Spaniard will start from the front row of the grid on Sunday for the first time since 2012, sharing that starting row with Verstappen.

Much respect for Alonso

Verstappen has a lot of respect for the two-time world champion. "To be on the front row together with Fernando I used to look at F1 as a little kid, seeing Fernando being up there and winning his races and championships and putting it on pole so to be sharing the front row is a nice thing," said the Red Bull Racing driver.

"Of course Fernando is getting a little bit old, but he's still very fast," Verstappen praised his 40-year-old rival. Alonso already warned Verstappen that he will try to grab P1 at the start, something the Dutchman will take into account. "So I know he starts very well, you know, so I have to be ready."