Jenson Button is convinced that Fernando Alonso still has all the qualities necessary to take on one last major challenge: winning the Indianapolis 500 and aiming for the Triple Crown.
Read more McLaren unveils a special livery for its 1000th historic Grand Prix
The two-time world champion from Spain has already won two of the three events that make up this extremely exclusive circle: the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He only lacks the Indy 500 to join the rare drivers who have achieved this historic feat.
Indianapolis, Alonso’s last challenge
Alonso has already tried his luck three times on the legendary Indianapolis oval. His first participation in 2017 remains the most impressive to this day. For his debut in the event, the Spaniard immediately played a leading role, leading several laps and establishing himself as a serious contender for victory before an engine failure abruptly ended his adventure.
The experience was much more difficult in 2019. Entered with McLaren, Alonso even failed to qualify for the race after a chaotic preparation. He made a third attempt in 2020 but could do no better than finishing outside the Top 20 after a complicated weekend.
Despite these setbacks, Button believes that his former teammate and rival remains the most credible candidate to complete the Triple Crown.
“Fernando is probably the one with the best chance of achieving it,” wrote the 2009 world champion in his column for Aston Martin, of which he is an ambassador. “He has already won in Monaco and Le Mans, and he has come very close to victory in Indianapolis. If he decides to try again, he clearly has the ability to succeed.”
Read more Juan Pablo Montoya downplays his clash with Verstappen: «No problem»
The best driver of his generation
For his part, Jolyon Palmer paid a strong tribute to Alonso by describing him as the most complete driver he has observed in Formula 1. The former Renault driver believes that Alonso’s Ferrari period represents the peak of his art: “For me, the Fernando of the Ferrari years is the closest to perfection.”
Palmer notably cites the 2012 season, during which Alonso nearly won a third world title despite a car often inferior to those of his main rivals: “That year, he ticked absolutely all the boxes. His consistency was exceptional. This period at Ferrari represents the perfect image of a complete Formula 1 driver.”
An extraordinary racing sense
Palmer also praised Alonso’s driving skills in on-track duels. According to him, the Spaniard has a unique ability to anticipate situations even before they happen.
“It’s as if he sometimes sees the future,” he explains. “He understands battles on track so well that he knows exactly where to brake, where to place his car, and how to prepare the corner exit.”
Having shared the track with Alonso during their common years in Formula 1, notably during the difficult McLaren-Honda period, Palmer says he was often impressed by the level of the two-time world champion.
Compliments that perfectly illustrate the respect Alonso still inspires in the paddock, as the Aston Martin driver continues to pursue his career at the highest level while perhaps keeping an eye on what remains the last great challenge of his legend: Indianapolis.
Read more «Let them run!» : the heartfelt cry of the purists