Fernando Alonso has tipped Michael Schumacher to be be his “most dangerous” rival ahead of the new Formula One season. For only the second time in the sport’s history there will be five world champions on the grid this year - Alonso, Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and last season’s winner Sebastian Vettel.
Of the quintet, Schumacher was by far the most disappointing in 2010 as the seven-times champion bitterly struggled on his return with Mercedes after three years in retirement. Although a wheel has yet to turn in anger ahead of the new campaign, the suggestion is Mercedes and Schumacher, who turned 42 last week, will be a far more competitive force this season.
Double world champion Alonso, runner-up to Vettel in his first season with Ferrari, is fully expecting the German to be on fire. “There will be five world champions on the track and the most dangerous champion for me is always Michael,” said Alonso. Speaking at Ferrari’s annual pre-season winter event in Italy, Alonso added: “Now, in January, if I have to choose one name I have to say Michael.
“He is a seven-time champion, he has nothing to prove. He had a difficult season (last year), but he is still a champion. “He is still super class, and if the car is right he will be a contender.” Alonso is also hoping team-mate Felipe Massa will shine following a difficult 2010 for the Brazilian. Massa’s form dipped over the second half of the season, notably in the wake of the team-orders controversy at the German Grand Prix when he was forced to cede victory to Alonso.
“Hopefully our car is better than the others and my toughest rival next year is Felipe,” said Alonso. The Spaniard, though, is fully expecting Vettel’s title triumph to make him even stronger this year. “No doubt Sebastian will be a contender,” confirmed Alonso.
“He will have experience and will be calm in certain moments. He will drive better than last year and that makes him dangerous to us.”
