Piquet states that Alonso possesses 'greater passion' than Hamilton.

      "He possesses the same drive as he did two decades ago."

      Nelson Piquet Jr. has made a clear distinction between his former teammate Fernando Alonso and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. In an interview with Soy Motor in Valencia, the Brazilian ex-F1 driver remarked that Alonso’s lasting motivation continues to set him apart even at the age of 44. "His speed; he’s a very quick guy, who remains very driven. His motivation and hunger are the same as they were 20 years ago. It’s truly commendable. You don’t see that with Lewis, for instance," Piquet commented.

      He went on to compare the two champions further. "Lewis lacks the love, passion, and drive that Fernando still possesses, even though Fernando is older. He’s five or six years senior to my generation and Lewis’s, yet he shows more passion than many other drivers, which is highly respectable."

      Piquet, who competed alongside Alonso at Renault in 2008 and 2009, stated that the Spaniard’s performance has barely altered over the years. "Fernando is like Max; they both have a love for racing. He’s a racer and extremely fast. When I raced against him back in 2008, 18 years ago, he was at his peak and very hard to beat. I have great respect for him as a driver."

      He also connected that mindset to Max Verstappen, suggesting that genuine passion is what ultimately distinguishes the sport’s elite competitors and could also influence their futures. "If circumstances in F1 remain the same, Verstappen might seek to pursue something different," Piquet pointed out.