Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has admitted that he “never doubted” that he could beat Michael Schumacher, something he did to the shock of the Formula 1 world.
Whilst at Renault in 2005, Alonso ended Schumacher’s five-year reign, with the seven-time World Champion having won every title from 2000-2004 at Ferrari.
Alonso ended Schumacher’s dominance and started his very own, which saw him also claim the title again in 2006.
Schumacher actually chose to retire at the end of 2006, before returning with Mercedes in 2010.
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Alonso’s and Schumacher’s fights were epic, especially as very few drivers previously had ever been able to duel with the legendary German.
2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen was able to at times but never over an entire season.
Alonso is really the first person since 2000 to have done so, prior to Schumacher’s return in 2010.
The Spaniard was an incredibly confident driver when he shot onto the scene, with him admitting that he always believed that he could take the fight to one of the sport’s most decorated drivers.
“I never felt I was slower than him, in a way,” Alonso said, as reported by GPBlog.com.
“Maybe it was a bit of a kamikaze approach to Formula 1 and the start of my career! But I never doubted that if I had the same car, maybe I could have challenged him one day.”
Alonso was just in his mid-20s when he was battling with Schumacher, something which happened nearly 20 years ago.
Fast forward to 2023, and the 42-year-old is still taking the fight to the greatest drivers in the sport, including the likes of Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Alonso has rediscovered some magic within himself since moving to Aston Martin this season, with the Spanish driver having claimed six podiums in the opening 12 races.
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All six podiums actually came in the opening eight rounds, meaning he’s currently on a four-race streak without a rostrum.
Aston Martin’s season would look very different without Alonso, who sits third in the Drivers’ Championship.
Aston Martin sit third in the Constructors’ Championship.