Fernando Alonso, the most experienced driver in Formula 1, has been a topic of discussion among the F1 paddock. While many have debated who the greatest driver in the sport is, Alonso’s name has consistently appeared on such lists. However, Racing CEO Zak Brown has recently claimed that Alonso is the most exceptional talent he has ever witnessed in F1, surpassing other contenders such as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Alonso made his debut in 2001 and quickly made an impact in the paddock. He joined and achieved his first victory, followed by two consecutive world championships. After a stint with McLaren in 2007, he returned to in 2015. Despite not winning a race in over a decade, Alonso has remained a strong contender for top positions in recent years. Brown recognized his abilities and labeled him as the most special talent in F1, excluding the current McLaren drivers.
Although Brown had the opportunity to work with Alonso personally, their time together was marked by frustration due to the car’s performance. Alonso ultimately left the team after the 2018 season. Brown expressed regret for not being able to provide Alonso with a race-winning car during their partnership.
During his second stint at McLaren, Alonso struggled with inferior machinery, resulting in only four top-five finishes in four years. He eventually decided to leave the team. However, in 2021, the 43-year-old returned from his break and joined Aston Martin. He will continue driving for the Silverstone-based outfit for the foreseeable future.