Briatore: Alonso 'should have won six or eight' world titles

Flavio Briatore, the Alpine executive who managed Fernando Alonso during his championship-winning years, has delivered a stark assessment of the Spaniard's career. Briatore believes a driver of Alonso's caliber should have secured six or eight world titles, not just the two he won in 2005 and 2006. The comments underscore a long-standing narrative that Alonso's immense talent was often let down by circumstances and machinery throughout his two decades in the sport.

Why it matters:

Briatore's opinion carries significant weight, as he was the architect of Alonso's only title successes at Renault. It reignites the persistent debate about Alonso being one of F1's most talented drivers to have "underachieved" in terms of championships. The statement serves as a powerful reminder that in Formula 1, even the most exceptional drivers are at the mercy of their team's ability to produce a race-winning car.

The details:

• Back-to-back titles: Alonso burst onto the scene by breaking the Schumacher-Ferrari stronghold, clinching consecutive championships in 2005 and 2006 with Renault.
• 2007 heartbreak: He narrowly missed a third straight title at McLaren in a dramatic final-race showdown that saw Kimi Räikkönen snatch the crown from both him and Lewis Hamilton.
• Ferrari near-misses: He came agonizingly close to the title again with Ferrari in both 2010 and 2012, losing out on the final day of the season in both instances.
• Post-2014 struggles: His subsequent stints with a struggling McLaren-Honda team, Alpine, and Aston Martin have showcased his raw speed but have not provided machinery capable of fighting for the championship.

Looking Ahead:

Now 43 years old, Alonso is preparing for his 23rd season in Formula 1 with Aston Martin. While a third title seems unlikely, his enduring presence on the grid is a testament to his passion for the sport. Briatore's comments ultimately serve as a tribute to a driver whose legacy is defined not just by his two titles, but by the "what ifs" that have followed him throughout a remarkable career.