Fernando Alonso has credited Max Verstappen and George Russell for keeping his interest in F1 alive and well.
Alonso left F1 for two years until his return this season with Alpine. He cited the reason for the move to be a lack of passion for F1. According to the two-time word champion, he had fallen out of love with the sport.
The combination of a lack of results and a loss of excitement for him prompted him to leave. Nevertheless, he still tuned in every Sunday to see races. He particularly enjoyed watching two drivers hone their craft in their cars.
Alonso credited Verstappen and Russell for keeping his interest in F1 pulsating every race.
“I stopped because the action on track, in my opinion, I feel is very poor,” he had told Autosport shortly after leaving F1. “There are other series that maybe offer better action, more joy and more happiness, so that is what I try to find.”
Upon his return, Alonso stated that he maintained an interest in the sport, and it was only because of Verstappen and Russell.
“I only watched the races because of two drivers – Max Verstappen and George Russell,” Alonso told F1 Insider.
“Because these are the two drivers who are special, who make the difference, who get more out of the actual performance of their cars. The rest of the drivers only got the results that corresponded to the performance of their cars.”
Prodigies
Alonso knows what he is talking about, as both Verstappen and Russell are two of the best drivers on the grid. His eye for talent is spot on.
Verstappen is currently in a title race, and leads the WDC by six points. Should he go on to win the whole thing, he will have won his first world championship.
Russell, meanwhile, will move to Mercedes at the end of this season. With his phenomenal performances in a below-average Williams car, this is a huge step up for him.
Read more: Masi hits back at Alonso for FIA accusations – “Rules are the same for everyone”