Fernando Alonso delivered one of his most remarkable performances in Brazil, proving that at 42 he remains at the top level. After two decades in top flight motorsport, he continues to share masterful moments whenever the machinery cooperates.
Once again, Alonso earned the unanimous respect of drivers, engineers, fans and journalists alike. His close duel with Checo Pérez in Interlagos elevated to a near-mythical status in the context of the season.
Praise began to arrive even before the finish. Max Verstappen, aiming for a 52nd career win, admitted that in the final laps he was distracted by the duel on the big screens in the stands, nearly going straight at Turn 4. George Russell spoke in the mixed zone about being stunned by the finish, unable to hide his astonishment at how tightly the race ended between the Mexican and the Spaniard.
Lando Norris tried to capture a moment with both Alonso and Verstappen on social media, posting a photo of two champions on the podium. When asked about the parallels with the Monza 2005 defense against Michael Schumacher, Alonso turned the question around with a playful quip, asking Norris how old he was. Norris replied, shyly, five years old.
2 World Champions and me pic.twitter.com/QQuxCpYE8v
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) 5 November 2023
In the press conference, the spotlight fell on the driver who interrupted Alonso, hugged him, and left a generational message: Fernando is a racer you can challenge. He would have struggled in many situations with a large portion of the grid, yet it showed that racing at the limit can be fair and effective.
Toni Cuquerella, the F1 engineer and DAZN commentator, summed up the moment with simple numbers: Alonso crossed the line 4.45 meters ahead of Sergio Pérez, who had been traveling 26 km/h faster. If the finish had come 51.6 meters later, the third place would have slipped away. The margin underscored how fine the line is in a race this tight.
Dani Juncadella, the Mercedes endurance driver, offered a professional perspective on Alonso’s value. He noted that against a Red Bull car the gap would typically be much larger, and highlighted Alonso’s relentless approach as the race unfolded. The coming events would test him again, but the resilience and creativity shown were clear signs of his enduring capability.
Pau Gasol and Antonio Banderas joined the chorus of praise on social media. Gasol wrote about the podium as a moment of silence before a historic achievement, while Banderas called the race a historic event and expressed pride in Alonso’s performance.
Headlines overlap: Alonso’s ‘Master Class’
The international press framed Alonso’s fight with Pérez as a defining moment of the season. Analysts highlighted the Spaniard’s ability to stay competitive against a veteran rival and a faster car, noting that Alonso did not abandon his pursuit even as the finish line approached. Pérez defended fiercely, even attempting a late overtake, yet Alonso reclaimed the leading position in the final sequence and finished with a razor-thin lead, a testament to timing and skill. Some outlets described the finish as one of the season’s standout moments, while others pointed to Verstappen as the benchmark, given his dominance. The coverage suggested that Alonso has raised the bar for what is possible in Formula One, especially in battles against superior machinery.
BBC commentators emphasized that Fernando Alonso continues to set a high standard that few can reach and many more must emulate. They called the Brazilian GP an outstanding performance, on par with the best achievements of his long career. The analysis noted that his early-season resurgence with a competitive Aston Martin stood as a landmark story of 2023, and that his podium in Brazil underscored the enduring quality of his driving. The broader message was clear: his latest triumph sits among the finest chapters of his career, a reference point for future generations.
FOX Sport México highlighted the narrative with the headline Alonso took Pérez to school, reflecting the dominant performance against a strong challenger. L’Equipe echoed the sentiment, describing Alonso’s mastery and his ability to convert knowledge of the sport into results, earning a spot on the podium in Brazil.