Max Verstappen names which driver he hopes will give him a ‘fantastic’ F1 title fight in 2026

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After previously going toe-to-toe with drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris for an F1 championship, Max Verstappen has named one driver whom he hopes to get a shot against in the near future.

Verstappen won his maiden F1 title against Hamilton in one of the most dramatic title fights in recent history. Level on points heading into the final race of the 2021 season, the championship was decided by an overtake in favour of the Dutchman on the final lap of the race.

He has since gone on to add three more championships to his tally, dominantly dispatching Leclerc’s attempts in 2022 and withstanding the pressure of Norris in 2024.

However, neither title charge has come close to the intensity of his battle with the seven-time world champion in 2021, with Verstappen believing Fernando Alonso to be the only driver who can give him a ‘fantastic’ run for his money.

READ MORE: Best moments of Max Verstappen’s F1 career including first pole, podium, win, title and more

Max Verstappen would like to go up against Fernando Alonso for an F1 championship

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo at Monza, Verstappen fielded several questions regarding a potential title fight with the Aston Martin man after comparing himself to the Spaniard earlier in the interview.

The two-time world champion was at the height of his career while the Dutchman was growing up, but has failed to carry those peaks into the rest of his career, mainly due to unfortunate timing.

After his ability to push a car to its very limit, no matter the performance in relation to the front-runners, was recognised, the Red Bull driver replied, “In that sense, I suppose I’m the same as Fernando Alonso. He doesn’t have a car to win the championship with, but he never gives up.

“He’s always a fighter, and that’s something I admire about him. He’s 44 years old and still very motivated, very driven by what he does. He remains passionate even when things aren’t going well.

“That, to me, shows that he’s a real fighter. I hope I can do the same for a long time to come. Always wanting more, always trying to get the best out of yourself.”

When asked if he would enjoy a title fight against the veteran driver, Verstappen couldn’t hide his excitement, saying, “I hope so. I really hope so! Fighting for a World Championship against Alonso would be fantastic.

“I have a lot of respect for Fernando because he is a great champion. I would love it, but right now it’s very difficult to know what F1 will be like in 2026.”

READ MORE: Best moments of Fernando Alonso’s F1 career including first pole, podium, win, title and more

Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen have spoken highly of each other in the past

Williams F1 driver and former teammate of Verstappen’s, Alex Albon, identified a common trait in Alonso and Verstappen, which proves to be one of the many reasons why they are such undeniable forces on the tarmac.

Their ability to digest important information as a race unfolds has been crucial for both drivers in determining optimal strategies and surprise interventions in the heat of battle.

In a testament to the four-time champion’s skill to extract the maximum amount of performance out of every car he drives, Alonso believes Verstappen would be a 2025 title contender with Racing Bulls.

The Faenza-based outfit’s car has proved to be capable of achieving results akin to Red Bull through Isack Hadjar’s podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.

As Verstappen noted, only time will tell if we are to see the two heavyweights of the sport lock horns in 2026. It could prove to be a battle for the ages.