Damon Hill has rejected Fernando Alonso\u2019s claim that F1 is \u201ca bit unfair\u201d in light of Max Verstappen\u2019s struggles at Red Bull in the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Verstappen has cemented his place among the greatest drivers in F1 history over recent years, winning four consecutive world championships between 2021 and 2024.<\/p>\n
Damon Hill \u2018strongly disagrees\u2019 with Fernando Alonso over Max Verstappen<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n However, the Dutchman finds himself seventh in the drivers\u2019 championship \u2013 103 points adrift of leader Kimi Antonelli \u2013 following last weekend\u2019s British Grand Prix.<\/p>\n Although he was officially classified in 20th place, Verstappen, who is yet to win a race so far this season, effectively recorded his third retirement of F1 2026 at Silverstone after spinning into the gravel at Stowe in the closing laps.<\/p>\n Alonso, the two-time world champion remains without a win since the 2013 season, has frequently expressed his frustration with underperforming machinery limiting a driver\u2019s potential in Formula 1.<\/p>\n This season marks 20 years since the 44-year-old\u2019s last title-winning season with the Renault (now Alpine) team.<\/p>\n In a recent interview with Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Alonso highlighted the perceived unfairness that a driver of Verstappen\u2019s calibre will not be in contention for the title in F1 2026.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cMax Verstappen is the best driver on the grid and this year he\u2019s going to finish fifth or sixth.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if F1 is a bit unfair in that sense.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there\u2019s no need to waste time explaining to people who don\u2019t want to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n In a post to social media, Hill \u2013 who won the world championship with Williams in 1996 \u2013 rejected Alonso\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n Taking to Instagram\u2019s story function, which allows users to post images and video clips for a maximum of 24 hours, Hill wrote: \u201cWhat a load of rubbish!<\/p>\n \u201cI strongly disagree with FA here.\u201d<\/p>\n Hill has been a constant critic of Verstappen and his aggressive brand of racing over recent years.<\/p>\n He famously likened the Red Bull driver to Dick Dastardly, the villain of the classic children\u2019s cartoon Wacky Races, at the climax of his 2024 title battle with Lando Norris.<\/p>\n The 65-year-old left his role as a Sky F1 pundit at the conclusion of that season, commenting after his departure<\/a> that he \u201cwould like to think\u201d that his strident views on Verstappen had no impact on the broadcaster\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n Hill, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live, doubled down on his criticism of Verstappen last year.<\/p>\n Responding to Alain Prost\u2019s suggestion that Verstappen\u2019s \u201cdirectness\u201d is reminiscent of the late F1 legend Niki Lauda, Hill responded: \u201cI agree with that [Prost\u2019s comments]. He [Verstappen] never misses a beat.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Lauda drove with his mind, not his fists.\u201d<\/p>\n Hill hinted last year that his criticism of Verstappen and his aggression in racing situations stems from his experiences in motorcycle racing<\/a>, where contact between two riders can result in disastrous consequences.<\/p>\n Hill memorably missed out on the 1994 world championship to Michael Schumacher following an infamous clash between the pair at the season finale in Adelaide.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n