'Alonso is tougher than Verstappen and just about everyone else'

Speaking on the MontoyAS podcast, the former Williams driver believes that the Dutchman is currently stronger mentally, but that the Spaniard, if given a real shot at the title, would give everything he has to claim it.

He began: “If Fernando ends up with a better car than Max, you could flip the question and ask whether Max has the experience to handle someone like Alonso. Right now Max is mentally very strong — everything is going his way and it’s working. But if he faces a Fernando who has a real chance at the championship, Fernando will fight tooth and nail.

Finally, the Colombian tried to gauge when the Spaniard might retire, suggesting that much will depend on the competitiveness of next year’s Aston Martin — the first car designed by Adrian Newey.

Montoya concluded: “Alonso is genuinely waiting to see what happens with next year’s car. We’re all eager to see what Adrian Newey produces, and I think Fernando would give them another year or two — if next year falls short, he might still hang around for another season if he sees they’re heading in the right direction. After all, you don’t pass up a shot at the title.”

The two-time world champion is no stranger to praising the human and driving qualities of the Red Bull Racing driver, with whom he has long enjoyed an excellent relationship.

The Spaniard believes that Verstappen is “one of the best drivers in the history of the sport,” as he “is able to extract the maximum from the car.”

Alonso also noted that Verstappen is currently fighting against a superior car, but recalled the example of Abu Dhabi 2021 — when the Dutchman snatched the title from Hamilton despite Mercedes having the stronger package in the closing stages of that season.