Fernando Alonso Makes Adrian Newey Comparison over Max Verstappen’s 2025 Title Fight

Fernando Alonso remains confident that Max Verstappen can do something special to win the 2025 world title, similar to F1 aero genius Adrian Newey.

Fernando Alonso Makes Adrian Newey Comparison over Max Verstappen’s 2025 Title Fight

Max Verstappen, Adrian Newey (via IMAGO) and Fernando Alonso (via XPB Images)

Max Verstappen is arguably the biggest name in Formula 1 at the moment. The Dutch driver dominated the sport in recent years and won four consecutive world titles. Though, things have taken a turn for the worse this season. With the Red Bull star facing stiff competition from McLaren. Yet, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso reckons that Verstappen, who has similarities to F1 genius Adrian Newey, will soon bounce back.

The reigning world champion has managed to win two out of the first eight races. However, some inconsistent results have forced him to third place in the standings behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris. Red Bull’s RB21 has failed to match the pace of the McLarens with Verstappen’s driving being the decisive factor in his two victories.

Despite the way the season has started, Fernando Alonso made it clear that one should not rule out Max Verstappen just yet. The Spaniard claimed that the Red Bull star was a genius when it came to racing. Moreover, Alonso pointed out that similar to aero genius Adrian Newey, Verstappen too could do something special and turn things around, as has been the case this year.

No, you don’t rule him [Max Verstappen] out because he’s another driving genius, and since we’re talking about Adrian Newey, who could do special things, I think Verstappen can do them too. He’s been doing it this year too, and you can never rule him out for the title.

Fernando Alonso told Mundo Deportivo

The 43-year-old’s comparison between Verstappen and Newey comes at a time when the aero genius has started working for Aston Martin. Adrian Newey will play a pivotal role at Alonso’s squad for the 2026 rules and made his first on-trac visit for the team at Monaco GP last weekend.

Max Verstappen facing ‘toughest’ challenge in 2025

The 2024 season was nothing short of a rollercoaster for Max Verstappen. The 27-year-old got off to a good start but quickly started losing out to Lando Norris and McLaren. So much so, that for a couple of months, Verstappen did not even win a race. However, by the latter half of the season, the Dutchman was back at the top of his game and successfully defended his title. Now, it seems that the Red Bull star will need to go even further to secure his fifth championship.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Fernando Alonso admitted that the 2025 season is undoubtedly the biggest challenge Max Verstappen has faced throughout his career. The Spanish driver pointed out McLaren is the one who appear to be the favorites courtesy of a significant pace advantage. Alonso understands Verstappen’s situation. The 43-year-old spent several years in F1 fighting for the title while having slower machinery than his rivals, notably against Sebastian Vettel during the latter’s prime Red Bull days.

But yes, this year is surely the toughest of all the championships he’s entered, and McLaren is probably the biggest favorite.

Fernando Alonso added

Max Verstappen is a driver who remains realistic. The Dutchman never sugarcoats the situation even to the media. As such, it is likely that Verstappen and Red Bull are working around the clock to get more out of the RB21. The 27-year-old would be hoping to have a better race in Barcelona this weekend and recover some of the points he lost in Monaco. Though, it remains to be seen if the four-time world champion really manages to defy the odds and win another F1 championship this season.

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