P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen received words of praise from Fernando Alonso last weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Fernando Alonso’s admiration for Max Verstappen is rooted in leftover resentment towards Lewis Hamilton. Alonso and Hamilton were teammates at McLaren in 2007, a season marked by tension and eventually leading to Alonso’s departure from the team. Throughout Hamilton’s career, he faced rivalries with drivers like Verstappen, notably clashing during the 2021 F1 title battle. Despite not being teammates, Alonso praises Verstappen, referring to him as a benchmark for all drivers. Herbert notes a possible lingering bitterness in Alonso due to the competitive dynamic with Hamilton during their shared time at McLaren. Respecting Max’s talent and consistency, Herbert understands why Alonso may still harbor feelings from their complex history in Formula 1.
