And in the DT lexicon that is about the highest accolade one can confer on another human being. READ MORE: 'He deserves a lot more' – Verstappen backs Alonso to break his decade-long victory drought in 2023īut that ambition clearly remains undimmed in Fernando because, of course, he is a racer. At that level of professionalism ambition is tempered by the understanding that you have to keep fighting for every inch. But while Red Bull and Max Verstappen are doing such a brilliant job such things will have to rely on the same sort of misfortune that left the world champion only ninth on the grid.Īnd there is an awareness within Lawrence Stroll’s rising team that many rivals plan quite significant upgrades for the next race, at Imola in a fortnight, so nobody is being complacent. Hands up, when he started from the front row in Miami I was hoping that somehow he might just pull off a win, because the purist in me loves tales of underdogs having their day. How about a second place? Or, to mention the great big ‘I never forget’ animal in the F1 room, a 33rd victory? Doesn’t it strike you as ridiculous that his last one was in his homeland way back in 2013? Or that after China 2014 his next podium wouldn’t come until Qatar in 2021? Now look at them: they’re coming like London buses… PALMER: A win for Alonso in 2023? I wouldn’t bet against it after his Bahrain masterclassįor me there is no question that his re-emergence is the biggest feel-good story of 2023.Īnd, of course, now he would love more. Racing in his forties as hard as he ever did in his twenties, but with so much wider experience. Still, like the magician that he is, able to find grip where that crucial task at the topmost level can still defeat so many others.

This is the man who first won a Grand Prix in Hungary back in 2003, who unseated Michael Schumacher in 2005 and ’06, who went on to recover from some unfortunate career choices to expand his horizons, win at Le Mans, and come close at Indianapolis.

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