Johnny Herbert Backs Alonso to Beat 'Lost' Hamilton in Equal Machinery

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Fernando Alonso would currently defeat Lewis Hamilton in a straight fight if they were in equal machinery. Despite Hamilton's historic seven world titles, Herbert argues that Alonso's ability to extract performance from a struggling Aston Martin gives him the edge over a "lost" Hamilton during his difficult start at Ferrari.

Why it matters:

This assessment challenges the long-standing narrative of Hamilton's dominance and highlights the severity of his recent struggles. While Hamilton is often considered the benchmark of his generation, his inability to adapt to the Ferrari compared to teammate Charles Leclerc has raised questions about his current form relative to peers like Alonso, who continues to perform magic in suboptimal equipment.

The Details:

• Herbert's Verdict: Speaking on the Stay On Track podcast, Herbert stated he would "probably go with Fernando" if forced to choose a winner in equal cars today.
• Alonso's Extraction: Herbert praised Alonso for squeezing "that extra something" out of the Aston Martin, noting that while the car is "not the best," the two-time champion consistently maximizes its potential.
• Hamilton's Struggle: In contrast, Herbert described Hamilton as "lost," pointing to the Briton's inability to solve the problems that plagued his season.
• Teammate Comparison: A key point of concern for Hamilton is his performance relative to Charles Leclerc. Herbert noted that while Leclerc has managed to get around the car's issues, Hamilton appears unable to understand what is required to fix his situation.
• Historical Context: The duo were famously teammates at McLaren in 2007, Hamilton's rookie year, where they finished the season level on points.

Looking Ahead:

Hamilton faces a critical period to rediscover his footing and prove that his recent form is merely a blip rather than a decline. As he works to adapt to the Ferrari, all eyes will be on whether he can close the gap to his teammate and silence the doubters ahead of the next season.