Author: Barkha Roy
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has named Michael Schumacher as his greatest rival, according to recent statements he made during an interview.
The Spaniard, who won his first world title with Renault in 2005 and defended it in 2006, competed against Schumacher during some of the German driver’s early years. In the early 2000s, Schumacher won five consecutive championships with Ferrari, establishing himself as one of the sport’s greatest drivers.
During his career, Alonso has competed against many talented drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel. However, he revealed that Schumacher was the one he found most difficult to compete against.
When asked who his greatest rival was, Alonso said in an interview with Aston Martin’s sponsor, Bang & Olufsen, that it is difficult to choose just one driver, as they have all been great rivals and very talented. He mentioned that when he arrived in F1 in 2001, Michael Schumacher was dominating the races, and if he had to choose, the fight with him would still be the one he would pick. He recognized that Schumacher was already a multiple champion, but he was ready for the challenge and had a lot of respect for him, and he also wanted to beat him.
The Spaniard went on to explain that Schumacher’s relentless pursuit of perfection and his intense focus on winning made him a tough competitor. He also acknowledged that the German driver had had a significant impact on his own approach to the sport.
Alonso and Schumacher had many memorable battles on the track, including several controversial incidents. In 2006, the two drivers collided at the Monaco Grand Prix, ending Schumacher’s race and damaging Alonso’s car. The incident sparked a fierce rivalry between the two drivers, which continued until Schumacher retired from the sport in 2012.
Despite their differences, Alonso expressed his admiration for Schumacher’s achievements and his impact on the sport. The German driver won seven world championships and set numerous records during his career, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.