Always is usually expected that the best is the best at everything. It is believed, perhaps because we have perceived it since we were children, that the champion not only has to be the best on the track, but also the best teammate, the best friend, the best at giving interviews, the best "tester", etc. However, the truth is that to be a champion of Formula 1, only two conditions have to be met: be a good driver and have a good car. The rest, no matter how cruel it sounds, does not matter.
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Hamilton a few years ago dominated the category with a car that was noticeably superior to the others, and today, having a milder version of the once lethal Mercedes, he simply rolls on the track waiting for those ahead to have a bad afternoon.
It is in this scenario, of a category that has put excitement in the veins, where the image of Fernando Alonso becomes so relevant. Not only because he does it on the track, where he is again becoming a protagonist, but also because of everything they generate off the track. Being over forty and still maintaining the competitive rhythm of the most demanding category of motorsport requires more than just speed, it requires passion and unwavering dedication.
Verstappen draws level with Senna 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 11, 2023
Max took 166 races, Ayrton got there eight races quicker 🤓#F1 pic.twitter.com/ZW2BWBuhjR
Christian Horner, team manager of Red Bull, said a few days ago that "Max is a very independent man, and he is very strong in his opinions and his perspective of what he wants to do in his life. Still, I don't see him being a Fernando Alonso and still competing at the age of 41 or 42".
Racing for such a long time in the category requires the resilience necessary to assimilate both the good and bad years. Look at Lewis. He has only had two years without titles and already the seams of frustration are beginning to show. However, today Red Bull knows that to win titles, they need Max (who has a contract until 2028) and the two-time champion has made it clear that his stay in the team depends largely on the continuity of the genius Adrian Newey. A brilliant engineer who in recent days has started to sound like a possible reinforcement for Aston Martin. "His heart is still in Formula 1 and his commitment to the team is also. We are not talking about contracts or their duration, but we know he will be in the team for many years", confessed Christian Horner as a guillotine against any rumor that casts doubt on Adrian's continuity. Time will tell if the statement was more of a wish than a sentence.