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Fernando Alonso defends Max Verstappen amid 2026 championship struggles

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 13, 2026, 10:32 AM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

Fernando Alonso defends Max Verstappen amid 2026 championship struggles

Summary

Fernando Alonso criticized fans and pundits who judge Formula 1 drivers solely on statistics in a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo. He asserted that Max Verstappen is the best driver on the grid, despite experiencing a challenging season with an inferior Red Bull chassis. Alonso highlighted the engineering disparities in the current season, stating Verstappen's situation mirrors the past dominance of teams like Mercedes. He emphasized that the best drivers don't always win due to machinery advantages. The 2026 season continues to unfold as methodologies and regulations influence driver performances significantly.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Alonso believes Verstappen is the best driver despite championship struggles.
•Current regulations give Mercedes a significant advantage in 2026.
•Alonso referenced the 2020 season's 'Pink Mercedes' to illustrate engineering impacts.
•He critiqued how past dominance skewed perceptions of driver talent.
•The season's results are still developing as teams adapt to regulations.

Latest Updates

10:32 AMYahoo Sports — Fernando Alonso Torches F1 Critics: “Verstappen Is the Best Driver”

What they're saying

"
Fernando Alonso has officially run out of patience for fans and pundits who judge Formula 1 drivers purely by their Wikipedia statistics. In a blisteringly honest interview with Mundo Deportivo, the two-time World Champion delivered a harsh reality check regarding…
— Yahoo Sports

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