Max Verstappen has admitted that he’s an admirer of two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, who even competed against the Dutchman’s father in 2001 and 2003, Jos Verstappen.
When Alonso made his F1 debut back in 2001, Jos was still on the F1 grid at Arrows.
Jos’ final F1 season in 2003 also marked Alonso’s first return to the grid, after he was Renault’s test driver in 2002.
Alonso and Jos’ son are clearly “very different generations”, with Max admitting that it’s “strange” to be able to relate to the Spaniard so much despite their stark 16-year age gap.
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“It’s strange, because we belong to very different generations,” Verstappen told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He even raced against my father,” he added.
The three-time World Champion discussed how himself and Alonso actually have a “very similar approach” to racing, to the extent that he admires the Aston Martin driver for still being so competitive in F1 despite his age.
“But we have a very similar approach. We love racing deeply. Proof of this is that Fernando is still so competitive at 42,” Verstappen continued.
“I admire him.”
Verstappen went onto talk about Alonso as a person and praised him for being not only a “good role model” but someone who remains themselves always.
The Red Bull driver clearly views Alonso very highly, who he admits is “super nice to me”.
“And then, as a person, he is super nice to me. He doesn’t boast about his titles, he doesn’t put himself above others, he remains himself all the time.
“We can talk about everything in a natural and relaxed way, without complications. He’s a good role model.”
One thing Verstappen and Alonso both have in common is a hunger for winning, something the Dutchman can’t get enough of currently.
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Victory at the United States Grand Prix this weekend would mark his 15th win of 2023, which would match his 2022 record for most wins in a single season.
If Verstappen is victorious at the Circuit of the Americas, then he can eclipse his record next weekend at the Mexican Grand Prix.
A win on Sunday would also see him break another record of his, for most points scored in a single campaign.