Max Verstappen has expressed his hope that Fernando Alonso will extend his Formula 1 career and return to fighting at the front of the grid. The 45-year-old Spaniard is weighing up his options as he nears the end of his current Aston Martin race deal, with an ambassadorial role reportedly waiting for him should he decide against continuing as a driver.
Alonso's Difficult Season
Aston Martin have struggled this season, and Alonso has scored just one point from 11 race weekends so far. Verstappen is adamant that his friend and rival does not deserve to be going through such a difficult period.
Like Verstappen, Alonso has been critical of the new generation of F1 cars, complaining that the challenge has been removed from some of the calendar's most fearsome corners because of the batteries which derate towards the end of straights, causing high-speed corners to be taken much slower than usual.
Verstappen's Support
Enjoyment is a factor the 45-year-old, who is also now a father, will have to take into account as he mulls his future. While Verstappen believes Alonso's age makes it easier for him to walk away, he made it clear he would like the Spaniard to stick around for the chance to fight further up the pecking order again.
The Red Bull racer said: "Of course, Fernando is 45 so it is probably easier for him to say, 'I quit', because he has already done, basically, his career. I would love to see Fernando race until he is 60, but I do not think that is realistic in Formula 1."
He added: "As a real racer, it is tough and especially, of course, when you are not enjoying the regulations, you are not competitive at the moment, it is a tough one. Because Fernando, of course, does not deserve to be P21. Fernando deserves to be in the top five, minimum."
Verstappen's Own Future
Verstappen said earlier in the year that he too was considering walking away from F1, such is his dislike for these new cars. His stance has softened since teams agreed with FOM and the FIA to make staggered changes to the engine formula, putting less emphasis on electrical power.
Speaking about his own situation, the Dutchman suggested he has become willing to muddle through for now to at least give those agreed changes a chance. He added: "I am, of course, 28, so it is a little bit different. I can easily stop, it's not a problem, but I love racing. And I am just trying to deal with what we have, even though what we have at the moment is not what I like."
