22 May 2023 , 05:00
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A former Formula 1 team boss overlooked both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as he declared who he believes is the "most complete driver on Earth".
Verstappen has won the last two titles and already looks well placed to make it three in a row with Red Bull so dominant so far this year. Many would argue that evidence alone is enough to show that the Dutchman is the one setting the standard.
Others, however, might point to Hamilton considering the swathe of records he holds. Between them, they boast nine drivers' titles and no other racer has claimed the F1 world since 2016 when Nico Rosberg pipped his Mercedes team-mate to glory.
But there are still some who would not choose either of them. Former Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul, who left the sport in 2020, picked his favourite when recalling working with Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.
"They are very involved, professional, disciplined and rational drivers," he told Spanish publication AS. "At the same time they are Latinos and I have a good connection with that kind of people.
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"Carlos is impressive for his attention to all the details, in particular the mechanical part of the car, as if he was an engineer, and he has helped to improve the car since he was at Toro Rosso. Fernando needs no introduction. He is probably the most complete driver on earth and it is a joy to see him back at the top of Formula 1."
Fernando Alonso was hailed by his former Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul (Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Alonso has been loving life this season after making the switch to Aston Martin. Some saw the move as a risk but it is one which has paid off, with Alonso third in the drivers' standings after the first five races with four podiums to show for his efforts so far in 2023.
He has also been getting along very well with team-mate Lance Stroll – not something always associated with Alonso. With that in mind, veteran F1 journalist Peter Windsor believes there is every chance it could "all come crashing down".
"You can see he's just trying to build up a whole sort of, 'We love Fernando' thing at Aston Martin – one day, it'll all come crashing down, probably, knowing poor old Fernando," he said. "We'll see how that goes... maybe it'll work? Maybe the Stroll and Alonso tie-up is the strongest bond ever in the history of humanity."