Damon Hill explains the ‘political ambitions’ that stopped Fernando Alonso from winning more titles

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The 2026 Formula 1 season will start with two drivers over the age of 40 on the grid: Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will reach 850 combined Grand Prix starts by the end of the 2026 campaign, with the Ferrari driver set to pass the 400 mark at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Their rivalry started during Hamilton’s debut season at McLaren in 2007, and since then, they’ve gone on to have two incredible careers.

Fernando Alonso hasn’t won a world championship in 20 years. What’s gone wrong at every team he’s driven for since Renault?

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However, while Alonso is hoping Aston Martin can become a top team in 2026, Hamilton will be hoping he can rediscover the form that made him a seven-time world champion.

Damon Hill has concerns about Hamilton’s F1 future, and has now provided his verdict on Alonso’s career and unfulfilled potential since his debut in 2001.

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

Damon Hill thinks Fernando Alonso’s ‘political ambitions’ have affected his F1 title chances

Speaking on The Undercut Podcast, journalist Mark Hughes was speaking with Damon Hill about the two veterans on the 2026 grid.

Hill remarked: “I think winning is a huge motivation when you’re used to winning a lot. That’s what you do.

“Alonso, he knows he’s made his bed, and he has to lie in it. And his career can be criticised for maybe overreach in terms of his political ambitions and attempts to run teams when he was there.

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“And that might have affected his chances. So, he didn’t get championships that he might have done if he’d been a little bit more amenable.

“He’s got this break, and he hasn’t got much competition from Lance, let’s be honest.

“So he’s able to be the man within that team, and he’s kept motivated, and there’s no doubt he puts the work in.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Damon Hill thinks Fernando Alonso creates a ‘multiplier effect’ that Lewis Hamilton can’t replicate

The comparisons between Alonso and Hamilton will be drawn far more frequently this season if Ferrari and Aston Martin produce similar cars for the upcoming regulation changes.

Aston Martin are already preparing in case Alonso decides to retire, although based on his love of racing, it’s hard to see him voluntarily walking away.

Hill made an interesting comparison between Hamilton and Alonso and said: “With Lewis, you get the sense that the ambition goes when the results don’t come. He has had some bad luck.

“So on top of that, he’s had an uncompetitive car, a bit of bad luck.

“I can understand him feeling a little bit like a victim, but if you’re going to be an eight-time world champion, you can’t afford to project that.

“People are looking for something that’s uplifting with you compared to Fernando. Fernando gives the team a lift by sheer effort, the sheer time he puts in, at least that’s what it looks like from the outside.

“But he looks like someone they can rely on. When Lewis loses his motivation or his belief in himself, and he expresses it, I think the team start to wonder.

“It has a multiplier effect. That starts the spiral going the other way, doesn’t it? So you’re not helping yourself to extend your career.”

Ferrari have changed Hamilton’s race engineer for the 2026 season, and a shake-up behind the scenes might be exactly what he needs to rediscover his best form.

Ultimately, it’s going to come down to the car, and at this stage of their careers, both Alonso and Hamilton will know that they’re running out of time to challenge for another championship.