Fernando Alonso has continued to praise 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen by firing a shot at the “last t꧃wo eras of champi𒀰ons.”

Verstappen has won four consecutive F1 drivers’ titles.

The Dutchman is once again in the fight to win a fifth straight crown, sitting just one point behind 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lando Norris at the top of the drivers’ championship.

Verstappen produced a g🦩enerational lap in qualifying at Suzuka to beat the McLarens to pole position.

He converted pole position into the win, reducing Norris’ lead at the top of the F1 ꦏstandings.

Verstappen’s performance across the weekend didn’t😼 go unnoticed by Alonso.

Alo𓆉nso hailed Ve🌳rstappen for his incredible qualifying lap in Japan, stating: “Only he can do it.”

The 43-year-old continued to praise Verstaꦕppen after the race🦂, likening his season to his 2012 F1 title near-miss.

Alonso narrowly missed out on the 2012 title to 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Sebastian Vettel despite💦 never quite having the fastest car on the grid.

Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, A♓lonso explained why he’s such a big fan𝓀 of Verstappen.

“I think he🔯 is the best. I have🎉 been saying this for a number of years,” Alonso said as quoted by .

“He has reached a level where the rest of us𓃲 are not yet. I like it when people win who do not have the best car, and I think everyone agrees w🎀ith that.”

Alonso’s dig at other F1 champions

According to Alonso, what sets Verstappen apar💞t is the competition he's faced duri💦ng his title battles.

In 2021, Verstappen went head-to-head with 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lewis Hamilton in similar machinery.

For most of 2022, Verstappen and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Charles Leclerc duelled until Ferrari dro🧸pped off after the summer break.

Similarly, in 2024, Verstappen held on to the title lead despit🍃e Red Bull’s dip in form.

While Alonso didn’t name an🍌yone in particular, he’s not been afraid to throw shade at some of his old rivals over the years - Hamilton and Vettel, in particular.

“There have been periods ๊of dominance in the last twenty years in F1,” Alonso addꩵed.

“Great teams and drivers, but the victories were a little bit on the easy side. With Max, except for 2023, he had serious competition in 2022 a🦂nd also in the last year.

“And obviously in 202✃1 with Lewis. The championships that Max has won, except in 2023, were in a more fighting way than the last two eras of champions.”