Lewis Hamilton has reignited his rivalry with Fernando Alonso with a cheeky remark that’s making waves in the F1 community. During a game for Formula 1’s YouTube channel, Hamilton took a playful jab at Alonso while drivers were asked to spot mistakes in edited F1 images. For one image of Alonso celebrating on the Zandvoort podium, Hamilton quipped, “Just him standing on the podium.”
This cheeky comment was a nod to Alonso’s relatively sparse podium finishes in the latter part of his career. Alonso, who went without a single podium finish between 2015-2018, took a two-year F1 break, during which he tackled various racing challenges, including the demanding Dakar Rally. As Alonso contemplates life after F1, he has made it clear that winning Dakar is high on his motorsport ‘wishlist.’
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas, Alonso’s fellow racer, offered his candid views on the fairness of motorsport. The ten-time Grand Prix winner highlighted the importance of having the right car and team to succeed, labeling Formula 1 as ‘not a fair sport.’ Bottas has experienced both ends of the competitiveness spectrum, collecting victories with dominant Mercedes and now facing struggles with Sauber, the only team without an F1 2024 point.
Zhou Guanyu, Bottas’ current Sauber teammate, is also in a precarious position as he battles for a new deal ahead of the Audi transition in 2026. However, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Zhou hasn’t performed well enough to deserve a new contract, citing his lackluster performance despite significant financial backing.
Additionally, all eyes are on Max Verstappen’s future. Although it seems likely he will stay with Red Bull for F1 2025, rumors persist about a potential move to Mercedes. F1 Nation and FIA press conference host Tom Clarkson mentioned that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff isn’t ‘completely giving up’ on acquiring Verstappen for next year. Instead, Verstappen is expected to review data from both Red Bull Powertrains and Mercedes F1 2026 engines before making a decision on his future.
The ongoing rivalries, candid remarks, and intriguing future plans keep the world of F1 buzzing with excitement. Whether it’s Hamilton’s cheeky quip, Alonso’s post-F1 ambitions, or the unfolding drama surrounding other drivers, these elements combine to create a captivating narrative for fans and followers of the sport.
