Dec.8 (GMM) Fernando Alonso says 2024 was his “greatest season” within the self-discipline of Method 1 qualifying.
The 2-time champion has contested an unbelievable 21 F1 seasons, however he smiled when instructed by DAZN that Max Verstappen lately complimented his expertise.
“Is Max saying that I additionally would have been champion a very long time in the past in a McLaren or a Ferrari?” the 43-year-old Spaniard mentioned. “Me too, even earlier than him,” he laughed.
Nevertheless, Alonso made clear he was not fully joking.
Having instructed the media on a number of events that the 2024 Aston Martin was among the many slowest vehicles of all this yr, Alonso instructed his staff on the radio in Abu Dhabi that the inexperienced machine is in reality “the worst automotive ever”.
“That’s what at all times occurs,” Alonso mentioned, rolling his eyes. “FOM is kind of obsessive about my radio and taking it out of context. These are personal conversations that you’ve with the staff they usually then inform the world.
“I at all times say issues which might be optimistic, however they solely wish to painting me as a grumpy man. They’ve been doing it for years.”
Nevertheless, Alonso admits he’s significantly happy with what he has been in a position to do together with his “worst automotive” on Saturdays this season.
“16 out of 24 occasions in Q3, with the automotive we’ve got this yr, I believe it reveals that it should be my greatest season as a qualifier,” he mentioned.
“If I used to be voting, I might undoubtedly give myself the award,” Alonso mentioned, smiling once more. “I don’t suppose we’ve had a automotive many, many occasions out of these 16 adequate to get into Q3.”