Fernando Alonso’s Support for Max Verstappen Tied to Old Tensions with Lewis Hamilton, Says Johnny Herbert
Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Fernando Alonso’s continued praise for Max Verstappen may be rooted in unresolved tension from his past rivalry with Lewis Hamilton.
Alonso and Hamilton were teammates at McLaren during the highly dramatic 2007 Formula 1 season. At the time, Alonso had just clinched back-to-back world titles with Renault and entered McLaren as one of the sport’s top drivers. Hamilton, on the other hand, was making his debut in F1 after winning the GP2 championship. Many expected Alonso to easily outperform the rookie.
However, the reality was far from that. Hamilton proved to be immediately competitive, matching and even outpacing Alonso on several occasions throughout the season. The tension between the two escalated quickly, resulting in a fractured relationship and a turbulent atmosphere within the McLaren garage. Ultimately, Alonso chose to leave the team at the end of that single season.
Hamilton would go on to become one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers, securing seven world championships and forming intense rivalries with various competitors, including a particularly fierce and controversial battle with Verstappen in 2021. That season saw the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers clash on and off track, with multiple on-track collisions highlighting their championship fight.
In the years since, Alonso has remained active in F1 and has consistently shown admiration for Verstappen. His recent comments following the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka reinforced that stance. After Verstappen secured pole position, Alonso referred to him as the “reference for all of us,” acknowledging the Dutchman’s dominance and consistency in recent seasons.
Herbert, who raced in 160 Formula 1 grands prix and later transitioned into a pundit role, thinks Alonso’s support for Verstappen isn’t purely about the Red Bull driver’s current success. Instead, he suggested it could be influenced by Alonso’s past with Hamilton.
“I understand why Fernando Alonso is very supportive of Max Verstappen,” Herbert said in an interview with PokerFirma. “Max and Fernando have never been teammates, so there’s no personal history there. But Lewis and Fernando were, and that relationship ended on very bad terms.”
According to Herbert, the core of the tension lies in Alonso’s expectations when he joined McLaren. As a reigning two-time world champion, Alonso likely anticipated that a rookie Hamilton wouldn’t pose a significant challenge. But when Hamilton quickly proved himself to be just as fast, if not faster, it disrupted Alonso’s plans and damaged the dynamics within the team.
“It was a big surprise,” Herbert noted. “Alonso probably thought Hamilton would need time to adjust, but instead, Lewis came in with a bang. That sparked a rivalry that was intense right from the beginning, and Alonso didn’t get things all his own way. That situation clearly left some scars.”
Herbert went on to say that the unresolved feelings from that season might still linger for Alonso, even nearly two decades later.
“As a driver, I get it,” he said. “When you believe in your ability and think you’re not getting the support you deserve, it builds frustration. Alonso may still feel he wasn’t backed as strongly by Ron Dennis and McLaren during that season, especially as the team appeared to split its focus between the two drivers.”
In contrast, Verstappen and Alonso have maintained a mutual respect, possibly helped by the fact that they’ve never fought each other in the same team or been involved in any major on-track incidents. Alonso has frequently applauded Verstappen’s skills, strategy, and composure, particularly under pressure.
“Max is the guy delivering, even in situations where he doesn’t expect to be strong,” Herbert added. “He comes into some weekends saying he’s not confident, and yet he still finds a way to dominate. That kind of performance earns respect, and Alonso clearly sees that.”
Ultimately, Herbert believes that while Alonso’s admiration for Verstappen is genuine, it may also serve as a subtle dig at Hamilton—perhaps a reflection of a rivalry that, for Alonso, never truly ended.
