James Hinchcliffe (IndyCar Race Winner and Analyst): Judging a racing driver’s abilities is harder than any other type of athlete using quantitative data. There are so many elements beyond the driver’s control that it makes direct assessment quite challenging. How many wins or titles one has often doesn’t tell the full story.
I’ve always thought the truest measure of a driver is how their fellow drivers rate them. If you were to poll not just the F1 paddock, but professional motorsports globally, Alonso’s name would come up on many ‘top’ lists, mine included. His car control, race craft, relentless work ethic, versatility across multiple disciplines and at times savage desire to win make him someone many admire and respect.
From the early days at Minardi, to the giant-killing efforts of his 2005 and 2006 titles, to nearly bringing a championship back to Ferrari, I have enjoyed watching his mastery of motorsport in F1 and beyond. And no success stands out to me as much as his 2005 triumph at Imola in a Herculean battle with Michael Schumacher.
As he approaches this milestone 400th Grand Prix, one thinks not only of his successes, but also of his near misses and ill-timed arrival at teams, and hopes that the new and improved Newey-penned Aston Martin can deliver him the long awaited – and much deserved – third world title.
