Scuderia Ferrari is gearing up for what promises to be one of the most thrilling Formula 1 seasons in recent memory, as Lewis Hamilton gets set to make his debut with the legendary team. Team boss Fred Vasseur is undoubtedly hoping that the pairing of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will finally bring an end to Ferrari’s 17-year championship drought. The British driver’s career in F1 is unrivaled, with only Michael Schumacher having won as many Drivers’ Championships as Ferrari’s newest recruit.
Charles Leclerc also enters the new season with immense expectations, particularly after what many consider to be his best season in Formula 1 yet, despite finishing third in the championship standings. There is growing sentiment that a Lewis Hamilton – Charles Leclerc partnership could represent Ferrari’s strongest driver pairing in decades, though it is difficult to overlook the legendary figures of Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, who set the modern standard for Ferrari drivers.
In a recent interview on *The Red Flags Podcast*, Rob Smedley offered an apology to Fernando Alonso, expressing regret that the team was never able to provide him with a car capable of winning the championship, even when he was at the peak of his career. During his tenure as a race engineer at Ferrari, Rob Smedley reflected on what set the German and the Spaniard apart from other drivers he worked with, highlighting the exceptional performance data that both drivers delivered while racing for the Scuderia.
The driving data from both Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso during their time at Ferrari was described as “otherworldly,” underscoring their unmatched ability to extract every bit of performance from the car.
Rob Smedley was asked about the German driver’s telemetry during his time at Ferrari and explained that it was important to map what should be expected in a driver’s data, identifying where certain performance levels should appear and how they should look. He noted that both Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso were exceptional in their ability to drive the car, highlighting how close they could push it to its limit. However, this was not always the case, as it was typically a special occasion when they could reach the edge of adhesion. The former Ferrari race engineer mentioned that in some instances, telemetry would reveal that drivers still had more grip available and could go faster, but this was usually due to the natural margin drivers maintain, considering the high speeds at which they were driving, where even a small mistake could have catastrophic consequences. Smedley emphasized that both Schumacher and Alonso often drove on the very limit of grip, with any slight mistake leading to a significant loss of control. He praised Michael Schumacher’s exceptional hand-feet coordination and his remarkable feel for the car, describing his abilities as “otherworldly” at times.
Fernando Alonso is determined to secure one final Formula 1 championship victory before he hangs up his helmet for good. While his record with Ferrari may not match the extraordinary achievements of Michael Schumacher, there is little doubt that Alonso was one of the fastest drivers on the grid between 2010 and 2013.
During those years, the Spaniard finished as runner-up to Sebastian Vettel three times, showcasing his speed and skill, though ultimately falling short of the title. Afterward, he moved to McLaren for a second stint, which unfortunately proved to be another disappointing campaign with the team.
At the age of 44, Alonso will enter the 2025 F1 season, but he remains realistic about his chances of adding to his impressive tally of 32 race victories. However, Aston Martin, with whom he has teamed up, have their sights set on a more promising future. The team is particularly optimistic about their prospects for 2026, when major regulatory changes will reshape the sport, and the strategic decisions they have made—including the signings of renowned figures like Adrian Newey, Enrico Cardile, and the partnership with Honda as their exclusive power unit supplier—are expected to bring significant benefits.
Fernando Alonso may well choose to retire at the end of the 2026 season, giving him just one more year to chase a third world championship to add to his two titles. Should he remain at the front of the grid, his vast experience will undoubtedly play a pivotal role, especially if Aston Martin can provide him with a competitive car capable of challenging for race wins.
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