Emerson Fittipaldi admits there’s one Formula 1 driver on the grid who’s ‘like a lion’

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Formula 1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi has admitted that experienced driver Fernando Alonso is ‘like a lion’ on track.

Fittipaldi was talking to Mundo Deportivo about the Spanish two-time world champion.

There isn’t a single driver in Formula 1 history that can boast the longevity of Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard currently sits on 380 entries in F1 and all being well, he’ll pass the 400 mark next year.

To reach that number, not only do you have to be extremely talented, but in amazing physical shape to continue driving at the highest level.

It’s even more impressive when you consider the F1 calendar seems to get even more demanding every year.

Fittipaldi has been raving about Alonso and has suggested that the Spaniard is ‘like a lion’ which is a fantastic compliment indeed.

The 42-year-old can’t drive in Formula 1 forever – although Fittipaldi eventually retired from the sport aged 49 – but he will likely continue to race elsewhere.

Damon Hill has even said he’d like to see him join Max Verstappen at Le Mans one day.

Fittipaldi says Alonso is like a lion on track

Speaking about the iconic driver, Fittipaldi said: “Fernando is very good physically, and mentally too, he has a lot of drive to win and he has the motivation.

“He is like a lion. He is a lion on the circuits. He is there to attack. He always finishes the races very well.

“In America, we say that drivers like Fernando Alonso are ‘carreristas’ [a racer)], a type of driver who when he starts on the grid always goes forward.

“He is very fast and I really like watching him compete. It is important.

“The competitive level of F1 is at the level of such important global sports as football, tennis, basketball… if an older athlete is physically well, it shows that he still has an autonomy to achieve results at a high age.

“I like it a lot because it is what I tried to do (laughs). I admire Fernando a lot.”

Fittipaldi has previously backed Alonso to match Verstappen in a Red Bull, and it’s no surprise he thinks he’s a lion when he’s racing.

He won the Overtake of the Year award at the FIA Prize Gala although the Spaniard dedicated the award to Sergio Perez whom he had an unbelievable battle with in Sao Paulo.

Alonso is Aston Martin’s top driver on the grid and will be vital to not only their success on track but the development they do over the winter.

The team have admitted to being impressed with him from the moment he turned up in the garage and it’s easy to see why.