Fernando Alonso is no stranger to causing a stir in the paddock, with the Spaniard having done such a thing again during the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix weekend.
The double World Champion has had a good weekend so far at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit, after qualifying ninth for Sunday’s main event.
Alonso has actually never finished higher than ninth at the circuit in Mexico City, with the 41-year-old’s record being fairly woeful at the venue.
In his five completed races at the venue, Alonso has only managed two points finishes, due to having finished P13 in 2016 and having retired from the race in 2015 and 2018.
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Points should be on the cards for the Spaniard this weekend, who had his 30-second time penalty from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix reverted following an appeal by Alpine.
The Spanish veteran has been strong as of late; however, he’s managed to ruffle a few feathers off the circuit this weekend.
Alonso bizarrely told De Telegraaf that Max Verstappen’s two World Championships are “worth more” than Lewis Hamilton’s seven.
Publications from across the world shared what Alonso said in articles, resulting in the Spaniard hitting back at journalists after saying that he’s “tired of the continuous search for headlines”.
“And again…” Alonso began his tweet.
“Please, all the titles are amazing, well deserved and inspiring.
“Incomparable to each other and let’s enjoy champions and legends of our current time. Tired of the continuous search for headlines.
“Let’s enjoy them.”
The tweet by Alonso comes in response to something he said, which the Spaniard was reminded of in the comment sections.
“This is what YOU said,” added a user, who went on to attach an image which held the key quote of what Alonso said to De Telegraaf.
“Max’s titles are worth more than Hamilton’s,” he said, as per De Telegraaf.
“I have a lot of respect for Lewis but it’s different when you win seven world championships having only had to fight against your teammate,” Alonso cryptically said.
The former team-mates certainly appear to not be on the best of terms still, despite their time at McLaren having come all the way back in 2007.
READ: Lewis Hamilton savages Fernando Alonso by simply posting a picture
Why Alonso chose to say what he did only he would know; however, it’s certainly grabbed the attention of the F1 community.
Verstappen and Alonso have actually appeared to be fairly close as of late, given that the Dutchman has now matched the Spaniard’s two World Championships and has also claimed more victories than the Alpine driver.
The British media are unlikely to hear Verstappen’s response to this during the Mexican Grand Prix, as the Red Bull star is refusing to talk to Sky this weekend following comments from Sky F1 journalist Ted Kravitz.