Team boss shares the simple reason Fernando Alonso beats Michael Schumacher after working with both

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A Formula 1 team boss has revealed why Fernando Alonso beats Michael Schumacher after working with both drivers. 

Schumacher and Alonso will go down in history as two of the greatest drivers to ever race in F1, having won a combined total of nine world titles. 

Schumacher enjoyed the heights of his success at Ferrari, where he won five consecutive titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Meanwhile, Spaniard Alonso secured back-to-back world championships in 2005 and 2006, when he was driving for Renault.

While Schumacher stepped away from F1 in 2012, Alonso is still going strong at the age of 44 but has endured a tough start to the 2026 season at Aston Martin.

As a result of their successes, both Schumacher and Alonso are firmly in the F1 GOAT debate alongside the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Ayrton Senna.

If Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were in equal machinery for their entire F1 careers, who would have been better?

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Alan Permane explains why Fernando Alonso stood out from other F1 greats

Speaking recently on The Two Mechanics Podcast, Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane spoke about the main difference between Alonso and Schumacher after working with both legends of the sport.

The 59-year-old was quick to praise the ‘super impressive’ Alonso, especially his ability to adapt to the car and drive it to the max.

He also compared Alonso’s adaptability to Verstappen, claiming both drivers do not have one particular driving style.

When asked who stood out the most from Schumacher, Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and others, Permane said: “It’s quite an interesting question and it’s reasonably easy.

“So, with Michael, I never worked with him as an engineer. You know, we’re on his car together, weren’t we? We were super privileged to do that, win those championships 94, 95, absolutely mega.

“For me, the driver that stands out on that side of things when I moved into the engineering side is Fernando, no question.

“He’s impressive; he’s very, very impressive. Obviously, super quick, but a couple of things that really stand out about him is you often hear people talk about a driver’s style.”

How will Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 career be remembered?

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READ MORE: Ex-Ferrari engineer says Fernando Alonso can’t blame bad ‘luck’ for low title count

Permane continued: “You know, he likes to drive a car like this, or he likes to drive a car like that. In my opinion, Fernando doesn’t have a style; he just drives whatever’s quickest.

“However, you make the car, whatever the quickest way to drive it is, he’ll do it. That’s super impressive, honestly.

“I think you see that with someone like Max as well; I don’t think he has a style. I don’t know; I haven’t worked with Max, but to me, he just drives whatever’s quickest.

“That’s probably why some of his teammates struggle to keep up with him, because if it needs to be set up quite awkwardly or is difficult for the fastest lap time, he can just cope with it. Fernando is the same.”

It is clear to see that Alonso has made a big impact in the F1 paddock thanks to his on-track performances and off-track demeanour.

Despite being in his late 40s, Alonso was recently linked with a return to Alpine, a move which would see him reunite with former team boss Flavio Briatore.

With Aston Martin continuing to struggle at the back of the field, it cannot be ruled out that Alonso might be tempted to make what would possibly be the last transfer of his illustrious F1 career.