Former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber previously offered an assessment of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, highlighting a specific area where he perceived Alonso to be less consistent than Hamilton. Webber’s comments, made in 2013, provided insight into his views on the two multi-time world champions.
Webber suggested that while Alonso was a formidable competitor over a full race distance, particularly on Sundays, his raw one-lap pace was not always on par with other top drivers. He noted that Alonso was a ‘handful’ over two hours of racing.
In contrast, Webber described Hamilton as ‘handy’ but positioned him slightly behind Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in terms of being a complete ‘machine’ in race conditions. However, the broader F1 discourse often attributes superior one-lap speed to Hamilton.
The Australian driver’s 2013 remarks came as he transitioned from Formula 1, having retired from the sport to pursue a new challenge with Porsche in Le Mans. His perspective was based on direct competition with both drivers.
Fernando Alonso currently competes for Aston Martin in the 2026 Formula 1 season. His contract with the team is set to conclude at the end of the current season, leading to ongoing speculation regarding his plans for 2027.
Alonso has engaged in discussions with Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey and team owner Lawrence Stroll concerning his future. The team has experienced a challenging 2026 campaign, though recent upgrades have shown some performance improvements.
Lewis Hamilton continues to race for Mercedes in the 2026 season. Both drivers, now veterans of the grid, have maintained their positions with established teams since Webber’s initial comparison.
Alonso, at 45 years old, remains a key figure in the driver market for the 2027 season. He has indicated that a decision on his future will likely be made around the summer break.
‘I have not taken any decision. I will wait until probably the summer break, which is August. After summer is Zandvoort, Monza… I think around that time I will probably decide what to do next year,’ Alonso stated in June 2026.
The performance of Aston Martin’s upgraded Honda power unit and chassis has been a factor in Alonso’s considerations. The team’s recent ninth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix marked their best result of the 2026 season.
