Fernando Alonso has refused to rule 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen out of the 2025 F1 title fight, praising the reigning ch🐲ampion as a “driving genius” capable of doing “special things”.

Verstappen is just 25 points behind F1 championship leader 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Oscar Piastri following the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Du💜tchman is the only non-McLaren driver to taste victory in F1 2025, winning in Japa🅷n and Imola.

Red Bull’🏅s competitiveness has been up and down, depending on the track configuration.

The RB21 has come alive at high-speed circuits, wꦑhile ꦬits weaknesses are exposed at low-speed, bumpy tracks.

Verstappen could only finish fourth in Monaco on Sunday as168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Lando Norris clinched his fi𒅌rst victory🐽 since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

With the Barcelona ༒circuit likely going to suit Verst💞appen and Red Bull, it could be a pivotal weekend in the race for the title amid the flexi-wing clampdown.

Alonso,ℱ who has been a huge supporter of Verstappen over the years, likened him to F1 design guru Adrian Newey as someone capable of d🍌oing “special things”.

“No, you don’t ru𒁏le him out because he’s another driving genius, and since we’re talking about Adrian Newey, who could do special things, I think Verstappen can do them too,” Alo𝔉nso told Mundo Deportivo.

“He’s been doing it this year too, and you can never🅘 rule him out for the title.

“But yes, this year is surely the toughest of all the championships he’s entꦏered, and McLaren is probably the biggest favourite.”

Verstappen eyes Schumacher record

Michael S🍌chumacher is the only driver in F1 history to win five consecutive drivers’ titles.

Schumacher r💮emained unbeaten between 2000 and 2004.

Verstappen could equal Schumacher this year if he wins the titl🌟e.

Verstappen has won every F1 drivers’ title si🐠nce 2021.

He defeated Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi to come away ꦬwith his first title.

In 2022, he faced stern competition from 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Charles Leclerc, but 🧸Ferrari fel🌳l away in the second half of the year.

2023 was the most domin🦹ant season in F1 histo♓ry, with Red Bull winning 21 of 22 races.

Verstappen won 19 of those races - an F1 record.

Finall♎y, in 2024, Vers🙈tappen resisted Norris’ mid-season charge to take his fourth title.

After winning seven of the open꧋ing 10 races, Verstappen won just two more races amid McLaren and Ferrari’s up-turn in form.

2025 looks set to be his toughest yet, given McLaren’s current performance advantage.🌠