“Never underperformed,” Fernando Alonso showers words of adulation on 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher
Fernando Alonso speaks about Micheal Schumacher's tenacity and willingness to exploit any opportunity.
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Micheal Schumacher, Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion exited Alpine at the end of the 2022 F1 season and moved to Aston Martin replacing Sebastian Vettel who retired from the sport. This is a year of new opportunities and new beginnings for the champion. As he begins his new year with a new team he sat down with Aston Martin’s media and answered a few questions.
The upcoming season will mark Alonso’s 21st year in Formula One. He spoke about the hunger he had from day one. His competitive nature led him to become a double world champion. The Spaniard expressed how he always tried to give his maximum and will continue to do so. He stood clear on the fact that it did not matter whether he was fighting for the fifth race or fifteenth but he always made sure to give his best on every lap.
When a question about Micheal Schumacher, the seven-time world champion was raised, Alonso lit up. He explained how Micheal never underperformed even on his bad days. Alonso fought with Schumacher for the championship in 2006. He had won six races and Schumacher won seven. Alonso who was with Renault back then bagged the championship that year and Schumacher finished second.
Fernando Alonso recalls his battle with Micheal Schumacher
Looking back at his battle with his opponents, Alonso applauds Schumacher. “Michael didn’t have bad days. Michael never underperformed. That’s what impressed me most when I got to Formula One and especially when I fought with him for the championship. The duo gave the fans a treat that season with their battle on track.
Previously, in all my career and different categories, my rivals had some bad days and those were the days when you would capitalise – you would score many more points than them. With Michael, that didn’t happen. He and Ferrari were unbeatable most of the time, but even when they didn’t have the car, the tyres, or whatever working in the right window, Michael still finished second or third” said the Spaniard.
The most interesting thing Alonso spoke about Micheal was his tenacity. “He had this tenacity, this willingness to exploit any opportunity – to minimise the damage on the bad days and maximise the good days. His determination was outstanding.” Alonso considers Micheal Schumacher his teacher and has been vocal about it any chance he gets.
The double-world champion is all set for the upcoming season. He paid a visit to Aston Martin’s facility and interacted with his new team. Pre-season testing will start on 23rd February in Sakhir. A week later, the new season will begin in Bahrain on March 3rd.
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Gerard Crispin
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