Fernando Alonso declares whether ‘genius’ Max Verstappen can win his fifth F1 championship this season

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso had every right to be the angriest man in Monte Carlo on Sunday as another opportunity to secure a strong result this season slipped away from him.

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most demanding tracks on the F1 calendar when it comes to concentration levels, with every driver knowing one mistake could be incredibly costly.

Fernando Alonso had once again nailed a qualifying session at the Principality and was comfortably running in the top 10 on his way to scoring his first points of the year.

However, a power unit failure halfway through the race saw him trying to nurse his Aston Martin to the finish line before eventually being forced to retire, with fans suggesting that Alonso is F1’s unluckiest driver as a result.

What he did next when he discovered his car was failing could have had huge implications in the drivers’ championship, with the race finely poised and every team waiting to see whether a safety car or red flag would be deployed.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen would have been one of the main beneficiaries at the time, and while he had to settle for fourth on Sunday, in Alonso’s eyes, that doesn’t mean his championship chances have ended yet.

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Fernando Alonso rates Max Verstappen’s 2025 F1 championship chances after the Monaco Grand Prix

Alonso was taking part in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and was asked whether Verstappen still has a chance of winning his fifth consecutive championship this year.

He explained: “No, you don’t rule him out because he’s another driving genius, and since we’re talking about Adrian Newey, who could do special things, I think Verstappen can do them too.

“He’s been doing it this year too, and you can never rule him out for the title.

“But yes, this year is surely the toughest of all the championships he’s entered, and McLaren is probably the biggest favourite.”

Verstappen is currently 25 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, with Lando Norris three points adrift of his teammate after winning in Monaco.

All eyes are on how the rule changes being made at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix impact McLaren’s car.

If they’re pegged back more than Red Bull, then all of a sudden Verstappen will be in a very strong position to retain his title.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Fernando Alonso describes what makes a perfect Formula 1 car

Alonso was then asked what kind of car he likes to drive in terms of the characteristics that match his particular style.

He said: “The car… I don’t know, I’d say you need a well-balanced car.

“But another challenge you have when driving, and one you like to face, is that no racing car is perfect.

“When you push it to the limit, there’s always going to be one of the two axles that isn’t as good as the other.

“The car will always understeer a little or oversteer a little. There’s no car that goes like a train, on rails, when you take it to the limit.

“So that’s where, again, your ability to slightly push the limits of the car and try to force the weakest axle gives you that satisfaction. That’s the joy of driving.”

Adrian Newey will be listening keenly to Alonso to work out what he likes and what he does not.

Alonso is contracted to Aston Martin until the end of 2026 and will be desperate for next year’s car to be competitive enough to give him a chance to at least end his decade-long wait for a 33rd F1 victory.

Unfortunately, the likes of Verstappen are always going to make that task extremely difficult given his immense pedigree.