From staring down the barrel and ironing out the kinks, Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing team have staged an unexpected yet incredible late-season resurgence. With three victories since the Dutch GP, two of them back-to-back and his first since 2022, the reigning champion is suddenly back in the thick of the title fight, boldly challenging the top-running McLarens.

But as the 2025 Formula One season heads into its final four rounds, Colombian racing legend and former Williams F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has stirred the pot. In a recent interview, the 50-year-old sparked debate by comparing Verstappen’s relentless drive to the “magic” of Spain’s only Formula One champion; a take that instantly drew backlash from F1 fans.

Why Did Montoya Compare Max Verstappen to Alonso?

The heart of Montoya’s argument centers on Aston Martin’s (Alonso’s current team) potential and the influence of legendary designer Adrian Newey. According to the Colombian, the true test for the next season will depend on whether Aston Martin can deliver a car capable of winning races.

According to the Colombian, if the Spaniard is in a competitive car, he could very well trump Verstappen: “If Alonso ultimately has a better car than Verstappen, you have to wonder if Max has the experience to compete with someone like him.”

Although he credited the young Dutchman for his indomitable will, he questioned what if he was up against somebody as seasoned and skilled as the two-time champion, “Max is mentally very strong right now, everything is falling into place, and it’s working. But what if he’s up against an Alonso?”

“If he has a real chance of winning the title, he’ll always give it his all. As we say in Colombia, ‘Alonso is tougher than Verstappen.’ When it comes down to it, he won’t stop at anything,” Montoya stated on his podcast MontoyAS W-Radio Colombia.

Interestingly, the Colombian legend’s words didn’t sit quite well with fans and his army of followers. They swiftly countered him with facts rather than zeal – “Montoya believes the mental side of such a battle would be fascinating: “Max is mentally very strong right now, everything is falling into place and it’s working. But what if he’s up against an Alonso?”

“But he is up against him, and Alo is way back in his rearview mirror.”

“Maybe if both were in their prime. Alonso has not been challenged since Hamilton and he tied with the rookie in points and lost in the standings,” noted another user, negating Montota’s claim. “He has been paired with Massa, Ocon, and now Stroll Jr. Of course, being one of the greatest of all time, he will shine against mediocre competitions and has been.

He concluded, “Max destroys everyone now. Including an aged Alonso.”

A third fan wrote a more rational comment, recognizing the Spaniard as one of the greats in the sport but boldly put across his disagreement with the Colombian. “I still think Alonso is one of the top 5 drivers on the grid. Definitely one of the greatest of all time. Give him a McLaren this year and he would be challenging for the WDC. But give him equal equipment as Max and I’m pretty sure Max would easily beat him now at his age. I believe he would do much better than any of Max’s team mates have but Max is on a different level.”

At 44, Alonso stands as an aging lion in a den still searching for its strength. With Aston Martin grappling to fix its flaws, the dream of a title or even a serious fight at the front feels far away. It’s a reality that could turn his final chapter into a heartbreak if next year’s car doesn’t deliver. “Alonso is really waiting to see what happens with next year’s car. We’re all curious to see what Adrian Newey (Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner) will create.”

“Fernando wants to give them another year or two, I think If next year isn’t good, he might stay another season, especially if he sees things are going in the right direction,” Montoya said it bluntly. “After all, you don’t pass up a chance at the title.”

Simply put, Montoya’s words might have sparked backlash, but they’ve reignited a debate that never really fades: could Alonso, in the right car, still take on Verstappen? As the Dutchman chases yet another crown and the Spaniard awaits his final shot, F1 fans can only dream of what such a battle would look like on equal ground. Until then, the “aging lion” and the reigning king remain worlds apart.