Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has revealed one trait he believes ‘teacher’ Michael Schumacher had the ability to pass on during their Formula 1 duels from two decades ago.
The German driver began the 21st century as ‘the man to beat’ in Formula 1 Grand Prix racing, securing five straight world championships between 2000-2004 for Scuderia Ferrari, before Fernando Alonso won the title in 2005.
The following season, the Maranello team was back on form with Michael Schumacher once again being involved in the battle for the title, in moments similar to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen two years ago, except the crashes and incidents. Eventually, the Spanish driver capitalized on a rare power unit technical failure from the Ferrari engine to emerge victorious with the title as he assumed Michael Schumacher’s mantle.
“Michael had this tenacity, this willingness to exploit any opportunity. His determination was outstanding,” Fernando Alonso said, as the Spaniard continues in Formula 1 and will now race for Aston Martin – “Michael didn’t have bad days. Michael never underperformed. That’s what impressed me most when I got to Formula 1 and especially when I fought with him for the championship.” – he added.
Fernando Alonso was just 24 years old when he fought on track with his once-hero for the Drivers’ Championship and took two consecutive titles for Renault in 2005 and 2006, putting an end to the domination one of the most successful partnerships in the history of the sport, that between Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari following five amazing victorious years.
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Being the figure to stop them demands high respect and Fernando Alonso himself is seen by many fans as a possible candidate when it comes to the hotly-contested debate of who is the best driver in Formula 1 history, but the Spaniard himself admits Michael Schumacher was a cut above the rest.
“Previously, in all my career and different categories, my rivals had some bad days and those were the days when you would capitalize – you would score many more points than them. With Michael, that didn’t happen. He and Ferrari were unbeatable most of the time, but even when they didn’t have the car, the tyres, or whatever working in the right window, Michael still finished second or third.” – the Aston Martin driver points out.
Michael Schumacher’s impressive legacy will live on forever and, despite the fact that Fernando Alonso’s ex-McLaren team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, was also able to win seven Drivers’ titles, the Spaniard believes it is difficult to make comparisons between drivers from different eras.
“We thought for many years that Michael Schumacher was unbeatable and had maybe reached a level that no one had in the history of Formula 1,” Fernando Alonso said in a recent interview for the Aston Martin website. “But, throughout the history of the sport, we’ve seen different drivers dominating – it’s impossible to compare them. Even after a bad free practice or a bad qualifying, you would still find Michael on the podium on Sunday. He had this tenacity, this willingness to exploit any opportunity – to minimise the damage on the bad days and maximise the good days. His determination was outstanding.” – he continued.
Fernando Alonso’s longevity in the sport should also be greatly appreciated, with the former Ferrari driver getting ready to start a new Formula 1 championship Aston Martin at the age of 41. When questioned on his current motivation and if he is any less motivated when racing for a midfield position and not fighting for race wins and titles, given the fact that it is almost impossible for a driver outside the three top teams to hope for more, Fernando Alonso proved to be in a defiant mood.
“I always try to give my maximum. I’m never demotivated. It doesn’t matter whether I’m fighting for fifth or 15th, for me, it’s like fighting for the win because I have to make sure that I give 100 per cent on every lap of every race.” – he concluded.
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