Fernando Alonso has hailed Max Verstappen as the best Formula One driver since Michael Schumacher.
The 26-year-old Verstappen only needs to score three points in tomorrow’s sprint race in Qatar to be assured of a third consecutive world title with six grands prix remaining.
Asked about the Dutchman’s achievements, double world champion Alonso omitted to include Lewis Hamilton in the highest step of his rankings, saying: ‘(Max is) with Michael maybe, yes.
‘We have to wait and see. The next few years will be even better for Max. He’ll keep adding championships, so we will compare him to Michael even closer in the future.’ Hamilton, like Schumacher a seven-time world champion but the all-time record race winner on 103, said of Verstappen: ‘I wouldn’t rank him. Ranking people is an opinion-based thing. He has earned his position and he has done an amazing job with the package he has had.
‘He and the team have been faultless this year. They have raised the bar and as we have to look at that and the areas where we can be better.
‘I do hope we can compete with them, but they should enjoy the moment because they have worked for it.’
Fernando Alonso heaped praise on Max Verstappen prior to the Qatar Grand Prix
