Fernando Alonso once snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen when naming the ‘best teammate’ he’s ever had in Formula 1

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Fernando Alonso holds the record for the most Grand Prix starts in Formula 1 history and is showing no signs of giving up any time soon.

Although Fernando Alonso has yet to score a point for Aston Martin this season, he’s still got high hopes for the team in 2026.

Alonso has a contract until the end of next year and will hope to benefit from the genius of Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile when F1’s new regulations are introduced.

Since Alonso made his debut for Minardi in 2001, he’s had some incredible teammates.

After spells racing for Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and Alpine, Alonso somehow only has two drivers’ championships to his name and hasn’t stood on the top step of the podium for more than a decade.

Alonso’s rivalry against Lewis Hamilton in 2007 was arguably his toughest intra-team battle and potentially cost them both a championship.

However, in an interview a few years ago, the Spaniard chose Jenson Button as the ‘best teammate’ he ever had in Formula 1.

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Fernando Alonso once said Jenson Button was his ‘best teammate’ in Formula 1

In an interview with Sky Sports in 2019, Alonso was asked about his strongest teammate in Formula 1 and replied, “For me, he’s probably the best teammate I’ve had.

“He is very fast. He is very competitive inside the car, always and in all conditions, but outside the car as well he is a very nice guy, a true gentleman, and also very committed to the sport.

“He’s always running in the simulator, working with the team, spending whatever time is necessary with the engineers, being 100 per cent physically all year long.

“As a package, I think he’s the best.”

Button was asked in an interview with Autosport in 2015 about the difference between being teammates with Alonso and Hamilton and explained, “In a race, it’s a bigger challenge, I would say a more consistent challenge.

“He’s always there. On some race days, Lewis was untouchable. And on other race days, it was like, ‘Where is he?’

“I’m guessing he’s a different driver now, more experienced, but Fernando is always there, always competitive.

“If he’s in front of you, you’re holding on, and if he’s behind you, he’s pushing you a lot.

“That’s great, though, I like that. I think that’s important in a team. It’s definitely helped us this year.”

READ MORE: Jenson Button names the current F1 boss he never thought would become a team principal

Who came out on top in Fernando Alonso vs Jenson Button McLaren battle?

Button and Alonso were teammates for only 38 Grand Prix at McLaren between 2015 and 2016.

The 2009 world champion then retired from the sport, only to make a one-off comeback for the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix in Alonso’s seat as he was racing in the Indy 500.

Button retired from the race after a clash with Pascal Wehrlein and still has an outstanding penalty to serve following the incident.

In their head-to-head Alonso outqualified Button on 25 occasions compared to Button’s 13.

Their record was much closer when it came to race results in Grand Prix where they both finished, with Alonso 18-16 up against Button.

In their first season together, Button outscored the Spaniard by 16 points compared to 11, however, their second year as teammates was dominated by Alonso.

While Button managed to improve his tally to 21 points, Alonso finished the season with 54, finishing in the top 10 of the drivers’ championship ahead of the likes of Felipe Massa and Carlos Sainz.

It’s a credit to Button that he was named ahead of the likes of Hamilton, Massa and Kimi Raikkonen to be Alonso’s greatest teammate.