Fernando Alonso is considered one of the best drivers in the history of Formula 1, but the truth is that he has only won the world title in 2005 and 2026. Ralf Schumacher, who was the Spaniard’s rival on the track, believes that one of the main reasons why his record is not better is how individualistic the Spaniard was at the beginning of his career, something he has corrected over the years.
Alonso’s bad start
Fernando Alonso’s return to Formula 1 in 2021 raised high expectations among fans, but his comeback was the same as the start of this disappointing 2025 season. Fernando Alonso had to drop out of the first two races and is last in the Drivers’ World Championship. The first race was his fault and the second was due to Aston Martin’s reliability problems. The truth is that his team mate managed to finish in the points in both races.
This situation has taken many by surprise, but hopefully Alonso will be able to turn around this bad start to the season. But the truth is that technical problems and other adverse circumstances have reduced his performance. Ralf Schumacher thinks the same, convinced that the double world champion will be able to reverse this situation.
Ralf Schumacher and Alonso’s world championships
Ralf Schumacher made a statement in which he praised the quality of the Spanish driver but also alluded to certain aspects that, from his point of view, have prevented the Spaniard from winning more world championships. “He has won too few world championships for his talent. Perhaps it is partly due to his past and the fact that he was not a team driver. But in terms of performance, he is simply incredible”.
Schumacher believes the decisions Alonso has made throughout his career and the relationships he has maintained within teams when he was in the running for world championships have been the reason he has been deprived of more titles. His time with the McLaren team in 2007 was marked by internal tensions, and at Ferrari he was unable to build a winning project despite coming close in 2010 and 2012.
Alonso’s future
Ralf Schumacher also spoke about the future of Fernando Alonso in F1. The Spaniard has a contract until 2026, but “if the car takes a step forward, he’ll be back. He shouldn’t be underestimated”.
Aston Martin has made significant changes and signings to its technical structure, such as Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell, with the aim of closing the gap that separates them from the leading teams. All in all, Schumacher is skeptical as to whether these changes will be fast enough for Alonso to be able to fight sooner rather than later.
“I think that by then it will be the end for him in Formula 1. I don’t see him being hired by another elite team.”
The start of Fernando Alonso’s season has raised many doubts among the paddock and F1 expert analysts. The truth is that the most confident and sure of his options is the Spanish driver himself, who is constantly sending messages of reassurance and is convinced that he can achieve success in Aston Martin, not only by 2026, but also believes that this season the car can take a step forward in the second part of the championship.
The truth is that, whatever happens, Fernando Alonso is running out of time, not only because of his own decisions, but also because of what his team decides in terms of whether they still believe in the Spaniard to lead a project.