Fernando Alonso sees himself reflected in Verstappen through their early rapid rises in F1, both joining the sport at young ages with relatively short junior careers.

Alonso debuted at 19 with Minardi in 2001, while Verstappen started even younger at 17 with Toro Rosso in 2015. Both drivers quickly earned promotions to top teams on the cusp of race-winning potential.

Notably, Alonso highlighted their aggressive driving styles paired with strong situational awareness on track, allowing them to navigate complex races effectively.​

Strong Personalities and Media Perception

Alonso also observed parallels in how the media and fans perceive both drivers. Coming from countries less traditionally passionate about F1, Spain and the Netherlands respectively, each faced early career skepticism.

Their straightforward, sometimes controversial demeanors have set them apart from typical polished athletes, painting them as uncompromising figures unwilling to conform to political correctness. Alonso noted Verstappen’s similar “straight-talking nature,” while reflecting on his own occasional “pantomime villain” role in earlier years.​

Divergent Yet Respected Journeys

While Alonso’s career saw him traverse multiple teams like Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari, Verstappen has largely remained within the Red Bull ecosystem, solidifying his expertise and dominance there.

Alonso’s two titles came amid fierce seasonal battles, often upsetting more dominant rivals, a legacy Verstappen is building with a record-breaking third championship in 2023.

Verstappen has expressed admiration for Alonso’s tenacity and undying passion for racing despite his age, likening Alonso’s fighter mentality to his own. This mutual respect highlights their standing as two of the sport’s fiercest competitors and storytellers.