Alonso believes that if Verstappen loses in 2025, it won't be due to his own mistakes.

      "He's consistently having his best season yet - year after year."

      If Max Verstappen fails to secure a fifth consecutive drivers' world championship this year, it won’t be due to his own shortcomings. That’s the perspective of Fernando Alonso, who, despite being 16 years older, clearly shares a good rapport with the Dutch driver. The two-time champion Alonso, aged 43, also has a lot of respect for his competitor. "He's consistently having his best season yet - year after year," the Spaniard mentioned to DAZN. "Last year, he didn't have the most dominant car, yet he clinched the championship with two or three races remaining. This year, he doesn't even have the second or third best car, and he's still in the fight. He is always performing at the highest level, but it's also up to Red Bull to provide him with a car that enables him to contend for the championship. However, you can never underestimate Max," Alonso added.

      Currently, McLaren appears to be in control in 2025, with Verstappen sitting in third place in the drivers' standings—nearly 50 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher expresses doubts about the quadruple world champion's prospects. "I think Max winning the title this year is unlikely," he told Sky Deutschland. "Max can make a difference, but not consistently, and the car isn’t performing well enough, and unfortunately, the team is falling short as well. Max cannot close such a gap over a longer time frame. He won’t stand a chance against McLaren unless the two McLaren drivers take each other out." Schumacher believes that, having excelled in Barcelona, McLaren is clearly the frontrunner for the upcoming Canadian GP. "I would almost say they can only defeat themselves," the German remarked. "I think Verstappen will get a bit closer there because the Red Bull is a bit harder on the tires, but that doesn’t mean McLaren—being the all-rounder—won't still come out on top."