Fernando Alonso has warned Max Verstappen not to rest on his laurels as he goes for more Formula 1 glory.
The reigning double world champion is stretching his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings in 2023 and appears on course for his third successive title as a result.
Alonso, though, has warned the Dutchman to not relax as he chases his next honour in F1 even though Red Bull is likely to fight for titles for the next three years.
“Until the rules change in 2026, Red Bull will be fighting for titles, so there will be a good chance that Max will continue to win races,” Alonso said in an interview with PA.
“He is young, the calendar is longer than ever and with 24 chances to win every year he can break records.
“There are no guarantees. When I won two championships, I thought I would win a few more and have a lot of victories, so Max can’t relax because things can change quickly.”
Hamilton in contention
Alonso doesn’t only see Sergio Perez and himself as challengers to Verstappen but also seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit was beaten on the last lap of the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to hand Verstappen his first title and deny Hamilton his eighth at the same time.
Alonso believes that even with Mercedes‘ slow start to the new regulations, Hamilton will become a contender for the title in due course.
“He’s always there,” Alonso added. “Hamilton will be in contention for the eighth title. I don’t know if it will be next year or in the future, but he will have another chance to win, that’s for sure.
“Mercedes is a very strong team, Lewis is a very strong driver and you don’t forget how to drive from one season to the next.
“The Mercedes has not been easy to drive, it was not a fast car, but every weekend we have seen that Lewis is always there: fourth, fifth, third second… He has been driving above the car.”
