Fernando Alonso has engaged in a spot of his favourite sport – aiming sly digs at Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso has heaped further praise on Max Verstappen’s abilities as he aimed a sly dig at fellow world champions Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

Alonso was in an effusive mood in Japan, as he labelled Verstappen “magical” for his pole lap that set up an unexpected victory at Suzuka, with Red Bull struggling with its RB21 car.

The Aston Martin driver has been particularly vocal about Verstappen’s skills, and through the years, has indicated that the successes of Vettel and Hamilton between 2010 and 2020, when they only failed to win the 2016 title between them was more down to their Red Bull and Mercedes cars than the drivers themselves.

Speaking once again about Verstappen, Alonso, himself a two-time world champion, indicated that he felt Verstappen’s world titles were fought for harder than either Vettel or Hamilton, although he did not directly name the two drivers.

“I think he is the best, I’ve been saying this for the last few years now, and he has reached a level that [no other driver has],” Alonso told media including RacingNews365.

“I like it when people are not winning with the best car, and everyone is agreeing on that.

“There were a couple of years of domination lately in the last 20 years, with great drivers and great talent and teams but the victories were on the easy side.

“With Max, in part of 2022, the Ferrari was strong, and last year he had some strong competitors, and this year as well, and obviously with 2021 with Lewis [Hamilton].

“So all the championships Max has won so far, apart from 2023, they were in a more fighting way than the last two eras of champions.”

Fernando Alonso explains Aston Martin steering wheel chaos in Bahrain

Fernando Alonso explained his experience from the cockpit after his Aston Martin steering wheel came off during FP2 at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Alonso is yet to score a point so far in 2025 as Aston Martin’s performance problems from last year have followed through to the current campaign.

To make matters worse, Alonso lost crucial time in FP2 when the steering wheel came off of his AMR25.

Post-session, Alonso talked through the peculiar events he experienced in the cockpit.

“Yeah, the car was not working and I could not shift gears at one point,” Alonso told select media, including Motorsport Week.

“I had the dash off, so I could not communicate with the team either.

“And yeah, in the last corner, the wheel was off, so yeah, we realised that maybe the steering column or the wheel or something had a problem.

“The mechanics quickly changed the parts and everything was fine.

“So yeah, a moment there, but yeah, thanks to everyone in the garage to fix it quite fast.”

Aston Martin replaced the steering column on the Spaniard’s car, but he missed crucial running, made all the more pivotal given he handed over driving duties to Felipe Drugovich in FP1.

When it rains, figuratively, it pours.
Fernando Alonso admits Bahrain will be difficult for Aston Martin

Bahrain will be another slog for Alonso and Aston Martin

Once Alonso’s car was fixed, he was able to clock some laps to finish Friday’s FP2 session in 15th.

His team-mate Lance Stroll languished down in 19th, a worrying sign for Aston Martin with FP2 being the only representative session regarding track conditions ahead of qualifying.

The veteran Spaniard is resigned to having yet another difficult weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit.

“I think it’s going to be a tough weekend,” Alonso said.

“Unfortunately, we seem not to have the pace.

“Before coming here, the characteristics of Bahrain was a little bit of a concern for us, for our package, and, yeah, probably we confirm it today that we are not competitive.

“So yeah, it’s going to be a tough weekend, but we will try to learn.

“We try to push, and we are not giving up. The race is long on Sunday.”