Alonso doesn't expect more pressure for Verstappen: 'Then it does play a role'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Max Verstappen will race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the first time with the thought that he is on top of the world championship. Although many Formula 1 experts indicate that the Dutchman will experience more pressure during the race, Fernando Alonso sees it differently.
The Spaniard won the world championship twice in 2005 and 2006, so he knows better than anyone what it is like to fight for the top places. Alonso acknowledges Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are working hard to stay at the top of the leaderboard, but warns the season is still pretty long.
"At this stage, at only the sixth race, it means nothing at all," he stated at the press conference, recorded by Motorsport.com. "It doesn't change anything in my opinion for Max or for Lewis. Towards the last race it does play a role, then it's mentally better to be in the lead. But at the sixth race of the season you don't really think about the points yet."
Hamilton and Verstappen battle for the lead
Despite this, Alonso thinks Verstappen is keen to stay on top for as long as possible. "When you're leading, of course you want to finish ahead of your nearest rival and increase the gap further, but again: it's very early days now, we've only had five races. The most important thing is that you are in a nice position."