01 September 2023 , 17:27
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Fernando Alonso declared his old Formula 1 rival Lewis Hamilton to still be "faster than anyone" – including Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull racer continues to dominate the sport and is on course for a third consecutive title success this year. In contrast, Hamilton has not been in the championship conversation in either of the last two seasons with his Mercedes team off the pace.
He will hope to change that over the next two seasons. He is guaranteed to be present on the grid in that time, now that Mercedes have confirmed his new contract keeping him with the team until the end of 2025.
It also means Hamilton will be racing beyond his 40th birthday, just as Alonso is doing now. The Spaniard is living proof that you can still compete at a very high level at that age if you look after your body and mind correctly, and the Aston Martin driver believes Hamilton will have no trouble doing the same.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he made clear his belief that his old F1 rival is still very much at the peak of his powers. Alonso said: "Until now, no one has shown it to me so far. Age can sometimes be a problem with demotivation, or you see that you are no longer at 100 per cent of your performance – or your focus and your concerns are other than F1.
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"Something like that can happen with age and because of the life we have. But in the case of Hamilton, who continues to perform at 100 per cent and his concern is F1 – like in my case – it isn't a problem. When someone faster comes, we'll talk, but at the moment, Hamilton is faster than anyone."
Verstappen tops the drivers' standings by a long way with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second, although 138 points adrift. Behind them, Alonso and Hamilton are the nearest challengers.
And as long as F1's elder statesmen continue to perform, Alonso feels there will always be a place for them on the grid no matter how old they get. He added: "That happens a little the same in all sports, where they are a little individual, those who have been champions always attract a little to the general public.
"It is true that it coincides that the world champions are at the top but, as I say, as long as you are motivated and eager, speed is what counts. Even though we have been there for more years or are older, we are still fast and that is what the teams want."