Fernando Alonso isn’t mincing words when it comes to championship battles: if you’ve got the best car and you’re in front, there’s no excuse for losing.
“If I’m leading the championship with the best car, I will not lose it,” the two-time world champion declared with his trademark confidence.
His comments come at a critical time in the 2025 season. Oscar Piastri‘s championship lead is shrinking fast, with Max Verstappen and teammate Lando Norris closing in rapidly.
Just 40 points now separate the top three drivers.
With five Grands Prix and two sprint races still to go, there are a whopping 141 points still up for grabs. The championship is wide open.
## Alonso’s championship wisdom
Alonso knows a thing or two about title fights. He’s battled legends like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton throughout his career.
He’s played both roles – hunting down Kimi Räikkönen to claim his first title in 2005, then holding off a charging Schumacher to defend his crown in 2006.
When asked if championship leaders feel more pressure, Alonso was blunt: “No. I don’t think so. If you’re not leading the championship by now, it’s because you didn’t have the best car.”
This puts an interesting perspective on the current McLaren situation. Both Piastri and Norris have held the championship lead at different points this season.
McLaren has seemingly nailed their technical package in what will be the final year of the current regulations.
“You need to wait for something unexpected, or a small miracle, because you’ve been chasing the leader with not the best car,” Alonso explained. “So, in the remaining races, there is hope, but you need to have some help from the leaders.”
The United States Sprint race might be exactly what Alonso was talking about. Both McLarens crashed out after a first-corner collision involving Nico Hulkenberg and Alonso himself.
Verstappen is now breathing down the McLaren drivers’ necks, perhaps hoping for more “unexpected” moments from the orange cars in the final races.
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