Pedro de la Rosa is adamant about what Fernando Alonso could do in an ‘equal car’ to Max Verstappen

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Pedro de la Rosa has issued an interesting verdict on what Fernando Alonso could do against Max Verstappen if both former F1 world champions were racing in identical machinery.

Certain traits of Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen have drawn comparisons between the two highly successful F1 drivers in the past, with Alex Albon previously detailing how they both boast a superior level of “mental capacity” to their rivals on the grid.

Both drivers have become renowned for their aggressive driving styles, too. Alonso and Verstappen are alike in the fact that neither driver cares less about the tactics used to ensure that they are at the front of the pack once the chequered flag falls at the end of a race.

In equal machinery, who’s taking the chequered flag first out of Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen?

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However, Alonso has been hamstrung this year through the calibre of car that Aston Martin have built. The 44-year-old is nothing short of a backmarker this year, but his colleague is still confident of what he can do in front-running machinery.

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

Pedro de la Rosa is adamant Fernando Alonso could battle Max Verstappen in an ‘equal car’

In a recent interview with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, former F1 driver and current Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa was asked about Alonso’s talent as well as what still surprises him about the two-time world champion.

“He’s a driver with a wealth of experience; he doesn’t need two laps, because he nails it on the very first lap,” the one-time F1 podium-sitter replied.

“You could go to a race weekend at any circuit in the world, and if Fernando were to take the first qualifying lap straight from the pits without a warm-up, I can assure you that, with an equal car, he’d be battling at the front.”

Doubling down on his verdict, de la Rosa also believes Alonso would be up there with Verstappen if they raced in identical machinery, adding, “With the same car, he’d be battling with Verstappen, 100 per cent.

“First lap on a cold track straight out of the pits – let’s say – Fernando would be up front 100 per cent. Why? Well, because he’s a driver who doesn’t need a warm-up; he’s got loads of experience, but it’s also just his style – he adapts very quickly to whatever’s on offer.

“That’s what surprises me most and what I like most about Fernando – his adaptability. He’s a driver who really pushes the car hard on corner entry; he really puts the car under pressure on corner entry, using the brakes and steering to gain time going into the corner.”

• READ MORE: Damon Hill agrees with Fernando Alonso over major ‘concern’ with F1 after the British Grand Prix

Pedro de la Rosa says Max Verstappen is ‘probably the best ever’ in F1

To further his bold prediction regarding a hypothetical straight fight between two of the sport’s most decorated drivers, de la Rosa went on to explain how highly he regards the Red Bull ace’s talents.

“Look, Verstappen is probably the best ever,” the Spaniard continued during his interview. “Well, only time will tell, but he really is amazing – I love Verstappen.

“The thing is, I can only comment on those I’ve raced against, and in the case of Hamilton and Fernando, I’ve also been able to share the car, telemetry, data, the simulator – I’ve shared everything. So I know them very well. Verstappen’s a beast, mind you.

“I admire him. Honestly, right now, I think he’s on an incredible level, a step ahead.”