1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter has insisted that whilst Fernando Alonso is “very good”, he’s not “as good” as the media says he is.
Alonso is currently enjoying an excellent maiden campaign with Aston Martin, in what is his 20th season in the championship.
The 42-year-old is showing that age is just a number, with him having claimed seven podiums so far this year.
He’s achieved a top-three finish at 50% of the races this season, something which many certainly didn’t predict ahead of the campaign.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Alonso remains as one of the quickest and smartest drivers on the grid, a combo Aston Martin have massively benefitted from.
Despite this, Scheckter doesn’t think he’s one of the greats.
“Fernando’s obviously very good,” Scheckter told Stats Perform.
“I didn’t like some of the stuff he did in his early career. I didn’t like it very much at all, actually.
“But he’s good, he’s aggressive. I don’t think he’s as good as some of the press think he is. But he’s doing a good job now, he’s doing a great job.”
Alonso was responsible for ending Michael Schumacher’s five-year reign in 2005, where he claimed his first of two world titles for Renault.
He went on to claim his second championship the following season, before switching to McLaren where he partnered a certain Lewis Hamilton.
Since 2007, Alonso’s career has been full of sudden team switches and poor decisions, which has left him as just a two-time World Champion.
Had he remained with the likes of McLaren or Ferrari for longer, then many suspect he’d have achieved more in the sport.
Alonso is nevertheless performing at his very best still and doesn’t look set to retire anytime soon.
He does have a contract for 2024 and has admitted that he’d like another deal beyond that, with it down to Aston Martin as to whether they offer him another contract.
Eventually though, the time will come for the Spaniard to leave F1, something Scheckter admits can be a difficult decision to make.
READ: 2023 Singapore GP: Sergio Perez’s mindset questioned as embarrassment could be repeated
“I used to say if I’m enjoying it, I’m not trying hard enough,” Scheckter added.
“If you’re enjoying it, then you’re going to carry on longer and longer. You know, maybe I tried and pushed too hard to try and do it.
“So it’s just such a personal thing.”