Alonso praised Verstappen, recalling the 2012 season

      Max Verstappen's landslide victory in Japan reminded Fernando Alonso of how, while still driving for Ferrari, he fought for the title with Sebastian Vettel in 2012, but the German Red Bull Racing driver became the world champion with an advantage of only three points.

      The McLaren drivers are rightfully considered the favorites of the season, which confirmed their success in the first two stages, but Max managed to win qualifying in Suzuka, and this was a very important achievement that helped the Dutchman to win the 64th victory of his career.

      "Max is really impressive, but we're not surprised anymore," Spanish newspaper Marca quoted Alonso as saying. – We know how good he is. He's making incredible efforts to keep his title chances alive, and now he's just one point behind Norris.

      It all reminds me a bit of 2012, when the Ferrari car was only the third or fourth fastest, but we were fighting to win the championship. I hope he can stay among the contenders until the last race.

      I have experience fighting for titles behind the wheel of a car that is only the third or fourth fastest, and I know how difficult it is. But in order to keep the chances of winning the championship to the end, Red Bull needs to upgrade the car more actively. Max has already won four titles, so he can fight, even if he doesn't have the most competitive car.

      People don't realize how difficult it is to run a Grand Prix perfectly. I didn't have such a good car in 2012 either, but we still fought for the title, even if we lost it in the end."

      Then, 13 years ago, Alonso won the Grand Prix of Malaysia, Europe (this race was held on the city circuit in Valencia, and Fernando won after starting from 11th position) and Germany, and in total he reached the podium 13 times that season.

      The two-time world champion's subsequent career took shape in such a way that in 2023 he replaced Vettel in Aston Martin F1, and now, after three stages of the new season, he remains one of the five drivers who still have not opened the scoring account.

      About the AMR25 car, he said: "We don't have enough speed not only to to break into the top ten. I don't think we're fast enough even to be among the top 18."