Verstappen: If Alonso returned, he would be a title favourite

Max Verstappen believes that Fernando Alonso would be in the “top three” favourites to win the drivers’ championship if he were to make a return to Formula 1 in the near future.

After the 2018 campaign, the Spaniard left F1 with two world championships to pursue interests in other motorsport disciplines, including competing in the Dakar Rally.

However, there has always been speculation that Alonso could return to the sport in which he made his name, with he himself refusing to play down the possibility.

Verstappen admits regret at never having the opportunity to face the veteran on the track for a meaningful battle, whom if he were to return, would still be one of the best drivers on the grid.

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“For me, Fernando is one of the best drivers,” the Dutchman told Auto Bild, Spain.

“It is a pity that I never really raced against him, because he did not have a very competitive car at the time.

“But I think if Alonso was here with a top car, he would be among the top three to win the world championship,”

The Red Bull driver was responding to recent praise from Alonso, who claimed that Verstappen was currently the best driver on the grid, saying he appreciated the younger driver always being in “attack mode” during races.

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