Lewis Hamilton Or Charles Leclerc Is No Longer Max Verstappen's Intensive Rival, But Fernando Alonso

JAKARTA - Red Bull Racing racer, Max Verstappen, still shows his dominance in the Formula 1 event for the 2023 season. However, this time something is different.

Verstappen is now no longer competing closely with Mercedes GP driver Lewis Hamilton, as before. Likewise Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari rider, who put up fierce resistance last season.

The Dutch racer said that now the most competitive rival in F1 2023 is Aston Martin's champion, Fernando Alonso. He even said Alonso deserved more wins in F1.

"I think Fernando should have won more races than he currently does. I think he deserves more," Verstappen said on the official F1 website.

Currently Alonso is chasing the 33rd race victory in his career. The Spaniard wants to end a decade of winning drought.

Interestingly, Verstappen would be happy if his rival made it happen.

"I would love to see him win his 33rd victory, but I also want to see him win more. So, we'll see in the upcoming races," said Verstappen, quoted from Antara.

Assessment considering the two have shared the podium together in the opening three races of the season, with Alonso finishing third in three Grand Prixs this year.

Verstappen also believes that if Alonso continues to maintain his good performance, he and Aston Martin will be able to advance even further in competitions this season.

Support for Alonso to win 33rd also came from Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz who openly signed the camera with the words "33 soons" after winning the Miami Open round of 16.

Alonso's recent revival has also created growing joy among fans, especially in Spain.

"It's crazy to see how Spain is now so enthusiastic again for Formula 1 and for everything that happened. So, it's really, really good to see. And hopefully they'll also enjoy this podium. I think at Barcelona, it's going to be big things this year," said Alonso.

"All football clubs, or footballers, and now tennis, or whatever, and they all do something with 33. So, hopefully we can reach that number in terms of victory and then we get the 34th (win)," he concluded.