Fernando Alonso hits out at F1 schedule ahead of Brazil GP – ‘It feels strange’

Fernando Alonso is a ‘winning’ driver says Lewis Hamilton

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Fernando Alonso has labelled F1’s end-of-season schedule as “strange”. The F1 circuit is set to embark on the second race of a triple header in Brazil this weekend, before heading to the first ever Qatar Grand Prix the following week.

After a week’s break, the season will conclude with back-to-back races in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

The Spaniard, 40, who returned to the F1 at the beginning of the season after a three-year-absence, has questioned the organisation’s decision to have such a physically and mentally demanding end to the campaign.

In what has already been a very draining season, Alonso believes both the drivers and team mechanics are being pushed to the limit.

“This triple header is not the most convenient,” explained the 2005 and 2006 world champion before leaving Mexico.

“Every race is separated by 12 hours [on a] plane or something like that. And we have to race three consecutive weekends.

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“It’s important for the team, for the mechanics to save energy. They are in the garage, packing everything, they will finish late, they will take a plane, arrive in Brazil, and they will pack everything and mount the garage. So it is on the limit for them, for sure.”

He added: “Hopefully we find better solutions for the calendar, because Austin is one hour and a half from Mexico. And we were two weeks ago in Austin.

“It feels strange that some races are separated two weeks and some of the races that are in another continent, they are back-to-back.”

Alonso also had his say on the enthralling world title fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Vertsappen, which the latter leads by 19 points going into the race at the Interlagos circuit this Sunday.

He reckons Hamilton will not be able to maintain his highest level for the remainder of the campaign.

“Do I think Lewis will succumb to the pressure? Yes, thanks to Max. 100 per cent,” Alonso told De Telegraaf.

“When Lewis only has to fight with his team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the title, everything is great. Now he feels some pressure and he gets into trouble.”

However, Alonso did explain that he admires both Hamilton and Verstappen for what they can do on the track.

“I respect enormously what both Max and Lewis are achieving,” he said.

“They are at their top level every weekend. Whether it’s wet, dry or very windy.”

Alonso sits tenth in the F1 Drivers Standings with 60 points and he will endeavour to add to that tally between now and the end of the season.

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