Formula 1 experts Philipp Eng and Christian Danner rave about Fernando Alonso and believe he might even shake up the absolute world elite in 2024
Fernando Alonso was the big surprise of the 2023 Formula 1 season, finishing fourth in the world championship with 206 points and eight podium finishes, despite being the oldest driver in the field at 42. But age is clearly not yet taking its toll on the two-time world champion (2005 and 2006 with Renault), according to Philipp Eng and Christian Danner, two proven motorsport experts.
The best proof that his performance has not yet deteriorated was provided by Alonso in 2023 during heat battles such as in Qatar or Abu Dhabi: “Those are exhausting races”,
“He comes out of the car, gives interviews straight away and doesn’t even sweat. He’s in the shape of his life, is extremely physically fit and simply has the right attitude. He has the absolute drive to still achieve the top results,” says the BMW works driver, who himself tested for Sauber-BMW Formula 1 in 2008.
Eng even believes that Alonso will surpass this in 2023 and will be among the title contenders with Aston Martin in 2024, should Red Bull be beatable again. The Spaniard has “100 percent” potential to be the absolute world leader in Formula 1 for several years to come. And: “He is a role model for all racing drivers. “
Danner: The energy is not lost with Alonso
Christian Danner, a former Formula 1 driver himself and long-time RTL pundit, agrees: “The decisive factor is the energy you have inside you and how much you are prepared to push yourself to the limit. And this energy is sometimes lost in a 24-race series, where you’re actually constantly lagging behind yourself and getting from one plane to the next.”
But while many young drivers groan about the stresses and strains of the past season, this is “not the case with Alonso”: “He is so focused on his car, on what he loves, and says: ‘Do I have a plan B? No. I don’t even want one! I’m a racing driver.” Danner admires the experienced driver, saying that this is “great.”
Danner: “Alonso-esque” traits also in Hamilton
But Alonso is not the only veteran star who could pose a threat to Verstappen in the coming years. Danner is also far from writing off Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion and 38 years old: “You simply have to say that you should never underestimate Hamilton, never! He’s had his ups and downs, but has found his feet again. “
“Our colleague Russell, who everyone praised for showing Hamilton the ropes, had a hard time keeping up,” says Danner. “Hamilton needs a bit of warmth. Toto Wolff will hopefully give him that through caresses and praise. But what he really needs is a faster car.”
If Mercedes succeeds in producing a winning car again in 2024 with the announced concept change, “then I’m pretty sure that Hamilton will also display Alonso-esque traits”. Especially as he extended his contract in the summer not just for one year until the end of 2024, but until the end of 2025.
