Formula 1: Why Alonso was able to recover more easily than Michael Schumacher

At the age of 41, Fernando Alonso is driving in Formula 1 like a 20-year-old. David Coulthard thinks he knows why the Spaniard has an easier life than Schumacher at the time.

Monaco – Michael Schumacher won seven world titles in formula 1, including five by Ferrari. Fernando Alonso won two with Renault. However, after a while in motorsport, both drivers decided to leave the cockpit and returned a few years later! However, when Michael was taking a good break from motorsport, Fernando decided to get involved in other series of motor sports such as Indycar.

Alonso was stronger than Schumi after his return

According to David Coulthard, that was the biggest difference between the two drivers when they returned to Formula 1 and also the reason why Alonso is now more successful than Schumi was with Mercedes. After a four-year break, the German returned to Formula 1 for three years and sat in the cockpit of the German team.

He could not win more and only two podiums. Things have only gotten better for Alonso since his 2021 return – especially now at Aston Martin. The Spaniard is also parting ways with his much younger team-mate Lance Stroll this season. After five races he was third four times – Coulthard knows why it was easier for Alonso to get back into the cockpit than Schumacher.

David Coulthard: “It was easy for Fernando to keep his edge”

He talked to Eddie Jordan about this on his Formula For Success podcast. “When Alonso left Formula 1, he competed in endurance races and participated in the Indy 500, he also ventured into the Dakar Rally. He also has a kart track that he drives on regularly. The style of non-stop racing keeps those things in mind. He acts and talks like he’s 23 years old!”

“So there was no break from racing for Fernando after he left Formula 1, he remained a racing driver and that made it easier for him to maintain his intensity. It was different with Michael. He retired and then there was no motorsport for a while. He rode a motorcycle a bit , then he got a neck injury and had to rest.” Coulthard is convinced that if Schumi had not stopped completely after leaving, then perhaps the same performances as Alonso’s now would have been possible. (Ihe)

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