Why Max Verstappen is "one step ahead" of Lewis Hamilton

Verstappen in Abu Dhabi — Photo: © LAT Images

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Why Verstappen is "one step ahead" of Hamilton

Fernando Alonso is backing Red Bull driver over former team-mate

Will Gray

Sunday 12 December 2021 05:00

Fernando Alonso believes Max Verstappen “deserves” to take the F1 title away from Lewis Hamilton because the Red Bull driver has been “one step ahead” this year.

Two-time champion Alonso, who was Hamilton's team-mate in the Briton's debut season in 2007, has been impressed by the composure of the two contenders but feels Verstappen’s level of racing should edge him ahead.

The Dutchman will line up on pole after stunning Hamilton with a breathtaking lap in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying to take the advantage into the season-finale.

Article continues under video

“I don’t know exactly how they approach these final moments, but they seem okay, on top of their game at the moment, both of them are driving amazing, no mistakes and pushing the limits every race,” said Alonso, speaking ahead of the weekend.

“They are first and second in every race because they are on another level and that is fantastic to see, how they push each other. This final race is going to be tense, for sure, for them, and we will see. It will depend on the package.

“Mercedes lately is performing better and won a couple of races but Max is driving, in my opinion, one step ahead of all of us.

"We saw the lap in Jeddah [in qualifying] until he touched the wall. That lap was coming from Max, not the Red Bull. That’s my opinion.

"Mercedes deserve the constructors’ championship because the car is superior, and Max, maybe overall this year, has been driving one step ahead of everyone. He deserves it.“

Alonso "not supporting anyone"

This year’s title battle has been one of the most intensely fought in years, with the driving rules often pushed to the limits but Alonso refused to be drawn on whether either contender had overstepped the mark.

Verstappen has suggested his driving has been held to different standards this season but when asked if he agreed, Alonso said: “I don’t know. It is difficult to comment because you are not involved and you don’t have all the information.

“Normally, [the stewards] take the decision that is fair. Sometimes we ask for clarifications. Some of the decisions they were maybe too hard, like touching the rear wing was a big fine, which from the outside we see a little bit strange.

“From the drivers’ point of view, we just want some consistency to know exactly what we can and cannot do, but we always respect what decisions the stewards are making.”

Alonso denied he is taking sides in the title battle but admitted it was “nice to watch” and added: “As a motorsport fan, you are following and you are aware of the stress that they may get in the weekend.

“It is nice to watch from the outside but I think whoever wins, it doesn’t change too much your approach or your weekend. When someone asks, I can have an opinion, but everyone has a different one and I am not supporting anyone.”