Verstappen "more attractive" champion for F1 than Hamilton - Alonso
But Alonso conceded his sympathy for former team-mate Hamilton after Abu Dhabi controversy
Fernando Alonso has expressed his sympathy for Lewis Hamilton but suggested Max Verstappen is the "more attractive" champion for F1.
Hamilton missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title when a confusing and controversial late safety car period allowed Verstappen to pit for soft tyres and close onto the Mercedes driver's gearbox for a last-lap shootout.
Asked if he felt sorry for Hamilton, the Briton having enjoyed an 11-second lead before the safety car was deployed, Alonso said: "Sure, sure, because Lewis was driving on another level, especially in the second half of the championship.
"The Mercedes was a faster car, yes, but Valtteri was not second. It was Lewis putting in that performance.
"So when you lose a championship because of the safety car in the last moment, for sure, you feel a little bit sorry."
Despite being able to sympathise with his former McLaren team-mate, Alonso remained convinced Verstappen was the correct champion.
"I had a little more 51-49 for Max and I was clear from the beginning," Alonso explained.
"I thought that over the season, there were a couple more unlucky moments for Max than for Lewis and the new sometimes is more attractive than the old.
"A new champion is good when you see the grandstand. If Max wins, one day, four or five championships, then a new guy will come and he will be the big attraction. That is what I feel now."
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton senses first Ferrari F1 win after breakthrough Chinese Grand Prix
Chinese Grand Prix
F1 Chinese Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with penalties applied
Chinese Grand Prix
'Band back together': Hamilton and Bono celebrate on Chinese GP podium after historic race victory
Chinese Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso blasts latest F1 embarrassment: 'The worst show you can have'
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page