Fernando Alonso Expresses Awe Over Max Verstappen’s Pole-Winning Lap

In a stunning turn of events, Max Verstappen clinched pole position for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix, leaving veteran driver Fernando Alonso in awe. Eliminated in Q2, Alonso described the Dutchman’s performance as a “magical moment” during his post-qualifying interview with Viaplay on Saturday afternoon.

Verstappen Outshines Norris by a Hairbreadth

With a margin of just 0.012 seconds, Verstappen snatched pole from Lando Norris, demonstrating an extraordinary driving skill that Alonso believes is unparalleled in the current racing scene. “Only he can do it, only he can do it,” Alonso said, expressing his admiration for the four-time world champion.

Despite the difficulty of handling this year’s Red Bull, Verstappen was surprised by his performance after the session. He attributed their success to consistent improvements made in every session. “I think that’s where we made the difference, and the last lap was just flat out,” he said, adding that pushing the car to its limits is incredibly rewarding at Suzuka.

On the other hand, Alonso will start in 13th position. “I think we gave it everything on track today,” he admitted, expressing disappointment about not qualifying for Q3 due to a lack of pace.

Alonso’s Respect for Verstappen Runs Deep

Alonso has long admired Verstappen’s ability to handle pressure and his approach to racing. Back in 2021, the Spaniard openly supported Verstappen as he battled Lewis Hamilton for his first real shot at the world title. “He seems to deal with the pressure better than other people,” Alonso said, praising Verstappen’s race-by-race mentality as the right approach for the remaining races.

Verstappen has also shown respect for Alonso over the years. In a 2021 press conference, he expressed his admiration for Alonso’s racing style and stated that if he weren’t an F1 driver himself, he would probably support Alonso.

For more Formula One coverage, click here.