‘Rent free’: Fernando Alonso faces the fury of F1 Twitter after claiming Max Verstappen’s titles are ‘more valuable’ than Lewis Hamilton’s titles
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Fernando Alonso (L) Max Verstappen (C) Lewis Hamilton (R)
Especially since Abu Dhabi 2021, where Max Verstappen came out on top of Lewis Hamilton (in rather controversial fashion), the relations between both camps, and their fans, have been rather fragile. It’s still a hotly contested topic, and many had even brought it up when Fernando Alonso’s 30-second penalty from the US Grand Prix was deemed invalid, arguing that the result should similarly be deemed invalid.
This season, however, there is no debate. Max Verstappen has completely and utterly dominated the championship, and has 13 wins, which is currently a joint record. And there are still 3 more races to go. He sealed his second title in style in Japan, where he pulled out more than a 25 seconds gap to Charles Leclerc in second place, before the Monegasque’s 5-second penalty sealed the fate of the championship.
Fernando Alonso, who was Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at McLaren, when speaking to De Telegraaf even went as far as to say that the Dutchman’s titles are more valuable than Hamilton’s own: “I think Verstappen’s titles are more valuable than what Hamilton has achieved. I have a lot of respect for Lewis, but it’s different when you only race with your teammate and win 7 titles.”
He further added the example of Michael Schumacher to make his point: “I never had to fight with my team-mate to win those titles. I didn’t see Max fight with [Sergio] Perez or [Alex] Albon to win races either. But [Michael] Schumacher mainly fought with his teammate to become champion five times in a row, and Hamilton with [Nico] Rosberg & [Valtteri] Bottas. That is different, I think.”
Fernando Alonso’s statement hasn’t gone down well with fans
Well, to say that Fernando Alonso’s opinion has hit social media like lightning would be an understatement. It has fans divided, and fighting against each other once more (not like they ever stopped). It’s not gone down particularly well with fans of Lewis Hamilton. Alonso does have some supporters, but some others feel it’s the animosity between the former McLaren teammates that has affected judgement here.
Some cite how Lewis Hamilton has had ‘easy’ teammates during his championship wins, where the only one who challenged him was Nico Rosberg. Of course, in non-championship winning years, there was also Jenson Button, and even Fernando Alonso himself, who Hamilton finished ahead of in his rookie year, 2007.
On the other hand, some are just here to watch the storm that unfolds on social media.
But by and large, Fernando Alonso has rustled quite a few feathers among fans, and he’s being subject to quite a bit of criticism, mockery, and even hate, with most people thinking that the Spaniard’s opinion may come from jealousy or spite, especially from 2007.
Well, that is Fernando Alonso’s own opinion, but what do the two drivers themselves think of this? Both are yet to respond to this, but they may just do it. We shall find out.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)