Tom Coronel Believes Fernando Alonso Can Never Reach Level of Senna, Schumacher & Verstappen

Fernando Alonso is arguably one of the best drivers in Formula 1. The Spaniard has won consecutive two world championship titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. And has 32 Grand Prix victories and 22 pole positions to his name.

After four disappointing and torrid years with McLaren, Fernando Alonso announced his shock retirement from Formula 1 to compete at Le Mans, Dakar Rally and IndyCar. During the two years of absence from the grid, Alonso won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice and the 24 Hours of Daytona once.

The Spaniard made his return to F1 this season with the new/rebranded Alpine and the two-time world champion has consistently scored for his team.

Despite Fernando Alonso’s greatest accomplishments in his racing career, Dutch reaching driver Tom Coronel believes the Spaniard can never level with the likes of Brazilian sensation Ayrton Senna, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, and the young blood Max Verstappen.

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What did Tom Coronel say?

As the current campaign reached the midway point, Coronel named his top five best drivers of the first half of the season. With Fernando Alonso being a surprise admission, as he has completely written him off.

During the interview with Formule 1, Tom Coronel said, “Sneaky in my top five, because I had actually written him off.

“He’s a competitive little man, a beast. He said again before his Formula 1 return: ‘I’m dropping everything around me, to do one thing right.’ And he does it well. I think that’s seriously nice.”

Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4, 2021. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso before the race Pool via REUTERS/Christian Bruna.

“Because is Alonso good? Yes, absolutely. But is he of the caliber of the greatest? No. He has been able to peak violently, but it is not a caliber of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, or Max.” (Translated via Google Translate)

Fernando Alonso has still not learned to handle a defeat

No matter what critics say about him, Alonso’s hunger and desire for wins hasn’t yet died down. In fact, despite being a veteran of the sport, he is yet to learn how to accept defeat.

As quoted by Soy Motor, when asked if losing now is easier to handle losses than it was in the past, the Spaniard replied, “It’s a good question and I’ve also asked myself, but I don’t think so. I don’t think I have digested it yet. What happens is that now I’m not in a position to finish second. I’m not in a position to finish second. to fight.” (Translated via Google Translate)

Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Styria, Austria – June 25, 2021. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in action during practice REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger.

“If I were in Mercedes or Red Bull and the other won, it would be a volcano. But since you are not in that position, you have other challenges in your head and other more real goals every weekend,” added the Spaniard.

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Fernando Alonso currently sits in P11 in the driver’s championship, only one point behind his teammate, Esteban Ocon.

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