Double World Champion Fernando Alonso has named Michael Schumacher as his greatest rival in his Formula 1 career, with the duo having battled for the titles towards the start of the Spaniard’s career.
Alonso was responsible for ending Schumacher’s dominant era, similar to how Max Verstappen ended Lewis Hamilton’s reign.
The 41-year-old brought Schumacher’s five-year domination to an end by claiming the 2005 title, only to back it up with the 2006 title the year after.
He claimed both titles whilst racing for Renault, with Schumacher having, of course, been at Ferrari.
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Schumacher ultimately retired for the first time at the end of the 2006 season, before returning to the sport with Mercedes in 2010.
Throughout his career, Alonso has endured some epic battles, most notably with Hamilton and four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
It’s fighting Schumacher, though, which stands out most for the veteran, with it being a duel he remembers as being “very special”.
“It’s difficult to pick one [rival] because all of them were great rivals and very talented drivers, but when I got to the sport Michael Schumacher was dominating the races and everything.
“Probably the fight with him is still the one that I will pick, always. Fighting with Michael was always very special, so I will say that one.”
Alonso has certainly been an excellent F1 driver who doesn’t look set to go anywhere anytime soon, with the Spaniard being on a multi-year deal at Aston Martin.
Having made his debut in 2001 with Minardi, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Alonso currently holds the record for most race starts; however, this doesn’t particularly bother him.
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The record Alonso does want is to match Hamilton’s and Schumacher’s seven world titles; however, he recognises how unlikely this is.
“When you race for many years, obviously you start breaking records,” added Alonso.
“But I think the only thing that matters is to win, and to break the record of championships. At the moment that’s probably unreachable because seven of Michael and seven of Hamilton are out of the possibility, but that would be the aim, ultimately.”