Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen impressed by 'pretty insane' Alonso's career milestone

10:28, 28 Sep

Updated: 10:38, 28 Sep

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen reflected on the twentieth anniversary of Fernando Alonso’s first Formula 1 World Championship in 2005.

'I get on very well with Fernando. I admire him a lot, how he is as a person and racer'

- Max Verstappen

Commenting on Alonso’s milestone in Baku, the Dutchman said: “He's still driving, right? It's crazy.

"I get on very well with Fernando. I admire him a lot, how he is as a person, a racer, at his age to still be that motivated to perform in F1, but at the same time also what he has done before, like going into endurance, even doing Dakar, it's pretty insane. It just shows that he's also just passionate about racing.

"It doesn't matter if it's Formula 1. He hasn't won in a while in Formula 1, that's also what can happen. There are also a lot of drivers that have never won a Formula 1 that maybe could have won or should have won. So that's part of F1, unfortunately. You don't always get the right opportunities.”

Verstappen also believes that Alonso’s talent has remained unchanged over time, even though the Spaniard hasn’t had a winning car in his hands for years.

“He had some good years where he won the championship and you could see his real talent. But it doesn't mean now that the base has gone or he's not quick anymore. It's just that the card doesn't let him. But again, it's still very nice that he's around and I have a lot of respect for what he's doing.”

Fernando Alonso - Photo: Race Pictures

Alonso shares thoughts on Verstappen’s Nordschleife adventure

The two-time world champion, like Verstappen, also competed in categories outside Formula 1.

The Asturian drove in WEC for Toyota, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019, and also raced in the iconic Indianapolis 500.

Verstappen, on the other hand, after obtaining a DMSB Permit Nordschleife two weeks ago, won his first NLS race in a GT3 car at the famous Nordschleife track yesterday. Here’s what Alonso thinks about the Dutchman’s commitment outside F1.

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