Fernando Alonso – F1’s Most Wasted Talent
Why Fernando Alonso Is Considered One of F1’s Smartest Drivers
When we talk about F1, the name Alonso will forever be associated as F1’s most wasted talent despite two titles. His skill behind the wheel was undeniable — a rare blend of aggression, precision, and superior race intelligence that placed him in the league of the very best.
The people who have worked with him have consistently lauded his talent. Zak Brown has called Alonso the most special driver he’s worked with. Ayao Komatsu, now Haas team principal, described his time testing with Alonso at Renault as a complete eye-opener, saying Alonso operated on another level. He recalled how Alonso could manage tyre degradation with surgical precision, adjusting his driving early on to hit exact targets by lap 20 — something even a skilled driver like Jenson Button found difficult. His race feel and feedback were simply exceptional.
Echoing that, Oscar Piastri, who observed Alonso during their time together at Alpine, remarked that Alonso seemed to use only 25% of his focus on driving, while the other 75% was devoted to race strategy — thinking laps ahead and manipulating the race around him. It was, Piastri admitted, a level of mental mastery he’d never witnessed before.
Stella , Fernando’s race engineer in ferrari and mclaren emphasized that Alonso’s intelligence, commitment, and racecraft made him a standout driver, with notable examples such as his pole position and victory at the 2012 German Grand Prix, where his confidence and decision-making under pressure shone through.
Romain Grosjean reflected on a memorable qualifying session at Suzuka, where he was faster than Fernando Alonso throughout the practice session. Comes Qualifying During the first set of tires, Grosjean was quicker, but when it came to the second set, Alonso found another level and gained a significant advantage. Grosjean recalled being confused. Upon analysis, Grosjean discovered that Fernando Alonso was three-tenths faster through Spoon Corner. Alonso’s technique involved braking slightly and then lifting off the brake during the second part of the corner, a move that caught Grosjean by surprise and gave him the edge. . He marveled at Alonso’s ability to pull off such moves, admitting that sometimes, you have to try something that isn’t written in the book
Fernando Alonso: Admired by Formula 1 Champions and Legends
Such was Alonso’s impact on the sport that praise for him came not just from within his teams, but also from his fiercest competitors. Across generations, drivers have consistently acknowledged Alonso’s brilliance — both on and off the track.
Lewis Hamilton, who shared a famously intense rookie season with Alonso in 2007, once named him the toughest opponent he’s ever faced.
“On pure pace, Fernando [is the toughest],” Hamilton said. “We had some good battles. I wish we could have more. Hopefully he will continue to race so hopefully we’ll have more in the future.” He also reflected on the immense pressure of competing against Alonso at just 22, calling him “a great” and acknowledging the challenge of going toe-to-toe with such a seasoned, sharp competitor (source: Autosport).
In a tribute to their intense rivalry during the 2010 and 2012 seasons, Sebastian Vettel has openly admired Fernando Alonso’s wheel-to-wheel abilities, calling him his toughest competitor from his Red Bull championship days.
Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Vettel said:
“I admire him as a competitor. He’s probably been the toughest one, especially in those first couple of years—particularly in 2010 and 2012. I rate Fernando very highly as a driver. He’s got so much natural talent, incredible determination, and great racing instinct — all of which he still hasn’t lost.”
During his time at Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen expressed admiration for Alonso, citing him as a key inspiration:
“At the moment, my inspiration is Alonso. What he’s done with a less competitive car is a real motivation for me — to keep working hard, even when you don’t have the machinery to fight for a championship. I really respect that.”
The F1 Politics and Chaos That Held Fernando Alonso Back
However, one aspect that has consistently followed Fernando throughout his career is the shadow of controversy, fractured team relationships, and political tensions.
From his fierce rivalry with Lewis Hamilton during their explosive 2007 season at McLaren, to his second stint with the team — plagued by repeated retirements and engine failures that produced some of the most memorable (and funny) radio outbursts in F1 history — Alonso’s prime years were largely squandered, ultimately leading him to take a sabbatical from the sport.
Even upon his return, the drama persisted. His sudden and controversial exit from Alpine in 2022 — announced immediately after Sebastian Vettel’s retirement and reportedly without Alpine’s prior knowledge — once again reflected the unpredictable and complex presence Alonso has always brought to the paddock.
Christian Horner revealed that Red Bull had considered signing Alonso multiple times but ultimately decided against it, citing the “chaos” that sometimes seemed to follow him. However, Fernando hit back at this claim, stating that he was surprised by Horner’s comments — in fact, Red Bull approached him on multiple occasions: 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and even twice in 2018.
Jody Scheckter, 1979 World Champion, echoed Horner’s sentiments, arguing that Alonso’s often divisive presence has held him back from being recognised as one of Formula 1’s all-time greats.
The McLaren Move That Derailed Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 Career
If you ask me, the only truly wrong move Fernando Alonso made in his career was returning to McLaren in 2015. His first stint with McLaren in 2007 seemed a natural progression from Renault to a top team.
However, both Alonso and Ron Dennis underestimated Hamilton’s immediate pace and maturity. Also, due to the tyre change, drivers like Alonso and Raikkonen had to relearn and adapt to several new variables. The intra-team rivalry spiraled into one of the most explosive seasons in F1 history. As tensions rose and the infamous Spygate scandal unfolded, Alonso’s exit from McLaren became inevitable.
His return to Renault afterward was pragmatic. It wasn’t a title-winning car anymore, but there were no seats available in top teams at the time. He returned to a familiar environment and regrouped.
Then came the move to Ferrari in 2010. The allure of Ferrari is hard to resist, especially for a driver chasing legacy. Despite not winning a title, Alonso came agonizingly close in 2010 and 2012, dragging underperforming machinery into championship contention with sheer talent and racecraft.
The 2010 and 2012 seasons were probably his best. As an F1 fan, it was incredible to watch Alonso and Ferrari fight for the championship, even though they never had the best car on the grid.
But it was the second McLaren stint in 2015, during the early Honda partnership, that truly wasted his prime years. Hoping to rekindle former glories with McLaren-Honda — a historic combo that once ruled the sport — Alonso instead found himself trapped in one of the most unreliable and underpowered packages on the grid. The car lacked both performance and reliability, and his frustrations famously spilled over on team radio.
2026 F1 Season: A Final Shot at Redemption for Fernando Alonso?
As a hardcore Alonso fan, I’m genuinely excited about what 2026 could bring. His performances with Aston Martin in 2023 were a clear reminder that age is just a number when it comes to raw skill and race IQ.
He dragged the car to podiums, delivered clinical overtakes, and demonstrated yet again that he remains the best racing IQ F1 has ever seen. With Aston Martin partnering with Honda for 2026 and the potential arrival of Adrian Newey — the most successful technical mastermind in Formula 1 history — the pieces of something truly special may be falling into place.
Apart from them, you have a powerful figure like Lawrence Stroll, whose relentless ambition and financial commitment have been the backbone of Aston Martin’s transformation. It almost feels destined — like the universe owes Alonso one.
A Dream Ending in Abu Dhabi GP: Can Alonso Become a 3-Time Formula 1 World Champion?
Just imagine the scene: Abu Dhabi 2027. The sun sets on the Yas Marina circuit. After a hard-fought season, Alonso crosses the line P1, sealing the title by just a handful of points ahead.
As he slows the car down, the Aston Martin pit wall erupts. And over the radio, you hear team principal Chris Conin’s voice — calm, emotional, almost in disbelief:
“Congratulations, Fernando… you are finally a three-time world champion.”
Wouldn’t that be poetry?
Wouldn’t that be justice?
Wouldn’t that be the perfect closing chapter to one of the most complicated, controversial, yet brilliant careers the sport has ever seen?
For those of us who have watched Alonso fight, falter, rise, fall, and rise again — 2026 isn’t just another season.
It might be the season.
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