24 April 2023 , 09:27
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Emerson Fittipaldi believes Fernando Alonso could stay in Formula 1 for at least another six years.
The Spanish driver made the move from Alpine to Aston Martin for the 2023 season and already has three consecutive podiums to show for it. He will turn 42 in the summer, but still F1 legend Fittipaldi does not believe he is anywhere near walking away.
The Brazilian compared his career to that of his fellow two-time world champion, making him confident in his conclusion. "I won my last race in the United States at the age of 47 and Alonso can reach that age at a high level," he told Spanish publication AS.
"He is physically very well and is hungry for victory." World champion in 1972 and 1974, Fittipaldi continued to race well into his 40s and beyond in America, taking part in the IndyCar and the CART series after retiring from F1 in 1980.
Alonso also made a brief appearance on the IndyCar scene and competed in the Indianapolis 500, after he departed from F1 in 2018. But the Spaniard returned with unfinished business in the sport and his current success has served to vindicate that decision.
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Fittipaldi said: "He wanted to win at Indianapolis, so he went to Indianapolis and almost won. He wanted to win Le Mans and won Le Mans and now he wants to be competitive in F1 again.
Alonso's mental strength was compared to that of tennis legend Roger Federer (PA)"He's the surprise of the season. It's been a good surprise for the fans. I'm glad for Fernando that he's driving so fast again." Fittipaldi also compared Alonso to other sporting legends including tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, also notable for their longevity.
He added: "It is true I have compared him with Federer because they seem to me to be similar cases in terms of mental power, but Nadal is also a valid example, of course.
"He has spent many years at a very high level and overcoming adversity with injuries, but his ability to overcome everything is strong – and Alonso is also in that group of athletes capable of anything due to his mental strength."