Fernando Alonso has chosen Michael Schumacher as his greatest Formula One rival, thereby ignoring Lewis Hamilton.
In 2005 and 2006, when he was driving for Renault. The 41-year-old competed against Schumacher for the world title and emerged victorious on both occasions, beating the seven-time world champion who was driving for Ferrari.
Although he has competed against several exceptional drivers such as Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, and Lewis Hamilton during their shared time at McLaren, Alonso, who holds the record for the most F1 starts, considers one of his earliest opponents as his most challenging rival.
When asked by Bang & Olufsen Fernando said “It is difficult to pick one because they were all great rivals and very talented drivers as well,”
“When I came to this sport, Schumacher was dominating the races and everything, probably that fight with him would still be the one I would choose. “He further added ‘Fighting against Michael was very special, so I would say that.”
When asked about the highlights of his twenty-year career in motorsports, which includes winning at Le Mans and competing in the Indianapolis 500, Fernando Alonso responded by saying.
“All the memories from different teams are very linked with the results I got in that moment. For Ferrari, I will pick the first race I won. Aston Martin, obviously I will pick [Bahrain] where we got the podium, and from Renault I will pick the championship.”
Fernando Alonso Names Michael Schumacher as His Greatest Rival, Ignoring Lewis Hamilton
According to Alonso, winning his first championship was the most significant achievement, as it was a dream come true and a lifelong goal. Although the second championship was also emotional, the first one held a special place in his heart.
Even though he is in the latter part of his career, Fernando Alonso has made a strong impression with Aston Martin at the beginning of the 2023 season. He currently holds the third position in the drivers’ standings after participating in three races.
Alonso has secured third-place finishes in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Australia Grand Prix races. At present, he is the only driver who has come close to challenging the supremacy of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
When asked about his prospects of winning another championship, Alonso responded by saying that he always believed it was possible, which is why he continues to race.
However, he acknowledged that it is a massive challenge and one must overcome several obstacles, including top teams that currently dominate the sport. “But I race every day and I train every day thinking that the third title is possible.”
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
