Max Verstappen has just been simply, simply untouchable this season. What the Dutch lion has done strapped into the all-conquering RB19 this season will probably go down in the history books as a feat that will not be replicated. With 10 consecutive race wins this season, and 12 in total, the 2x champion is well underway to secure his 3rd consecutive driver’s title. But in a season where he has distinguished himself as one of the greatest we’ve ever seen, permutations and combinations will always threaten to rain on his parade.

It’s like nobody wants to give the 25-year-old the due credit he deserves. While Lewis Hamilton & Co. have been making scathing comments to diminish Verstappen’s achievements this season, another curveball has now been thrown Verstappen’s way that takes the shine away from his near-perfect record.

Max Verstappen would not have been the 2023 champion

Verstappen has been on an alarming roll since the Miami GP. No driver has ever won 10 races in a row. No driver has arguably dominated this sport in the way he has in 2023. But is it all just a stroke of luck?

Building on Hamilton’s comments about Verstappen’s teammates, The Race hypothesized Fernando Alonso alongside Verstappen and how that would’ve turned out in 2023. In a recent episode of their podcast, Scott Mitchell-Malm said, “I think if you gave Alonso a car as good as the RB19, I think he would easily have a chance for rewriting records for most wins in a season.”

“He would be the champion, for sure. Directly up against Verstappen in that car would be utterly fantastic.” 

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He does, however, acknowledge that the fiery partnership of Alonso and Verstappen might actually even destroy the Bulls given the propensity for drama and in-fighting. “I also think it might absolutely be the end of Red Bull Racing! And cause total collapse of it.”

Read More: “You Are Not Max Verstappen”: Sergio Perez Slapped With Harsh Reality Check as Red Bull Handed Easy Way Out of Difficult Situation

People can conjure up any theory, but as long as Max Verstappen exists and does what he does best, he deserves more respect.

Fernando Alonso calls out people for not respecting Verstappen

There was a time when what Verstappen is doing today, Alonso was touted to do. While in reality that did not exactly materialize, the Spanish racing ace is seeing greatness emerge right in front of his eyes. And he feels, just the fact that Verstappen has achieved so much in this sport deserves a bit more respect on the Dutch lion’s name.

Alonso was quoted by RaceFans.net as saying, “To win in such a dominant matter in any of the professional sports, it is so complicated. I think Max is achieving that 100% more often than us at the moment, than any of the drivers, so that’s why he’s dominating.”

Is there anyone, past or present, who could actually beat Max Verstappen over the course of a season in equal machinery?

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