“I will try to not let him dominate F1 in future,” Fernando Alonso warns Max Verstappen as he eyes 2024 title

Fernando Alonso has had his best start to the Formula 1 season in 2023 ever since returning to the sport with an Alpine contract in 2021. With three back-to-back podiums in Bahrain, Jeddah and Saudi Arabia, Alonso is now thanking his lucky stars for his decision to leave Alpine in favor of the now-retired Sebastian Vettel’s seat at Aston Martin. While making the surprise move, Fernando Alonso had said time and again that he believes in the vision of AMR’s Lawrence Stroll, and now his beliefs are paying off.

Last year, Fernando Alonso had talked about his aspirations for his future in F1. The 41-year-old racer has already made the headlines by coming into F1 once again in his 40s while most drivers leave the racetracks by mid-30s. And the last Grand Prix where the two-time World Champion had lifted the trophy for the race win was back in 2013, at the Spanish Grand Prix in his own home country.

To increase his victory count to 33 races, Alonso knows he needs to act fast. Three podium places in three consecutive races has boosted the Spaniard’s confidence, so he now knows what he needs to achieve in order to get to the top by usurping Max Verstappen from his place. But Nando has also acknowledged that beating Max will not be easy. In a recent interview, he has said, “At the moment he [Max Verstappen] is at the top and driving better than anyone. It’s a challenge trying to measure up to him. In 2023, 24 and 25, I hope he doesn’t win and I’ll try not to let him.“

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Fernando Alonso has his eyes fixed on winning the F1 World Championship in 2024

Fernando Alonso made the headlines at the season opener in Bahrain because of his confidence behind the car. He had easily surpassed his formidable rivals like the Mercedes duo as well as the Ferrari duo to bring his Aston Martin to the third spot in the grid. Speaking on vying for the Championship, Alonso said, “In 2024, seeing the leap we have made this winter, we could take another one next winter and be able to fight for the World Cup.”

Thanks to his brilliant driver, Aston Martin is currently second in the Championship running–a massive improvement from their seventh place at the end of 2022. But in the same interview, Fernando Alonso has also mentioned he does not expect to have this form throughout the year. So, it remains to be seen how the Spaniard steers through the crowded F1 grid to settle into a spot at the front in the upcoming races.

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