Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has predicted that Fernando Alonso would outperform Lewis Hamilton if the two were in identical machinery. This assessment comes after Hamilton's challenging 2025 season with Ferrari, where he struggled without a podium. Herbert praised Alonso's ability to maximize performance from less competitive cars at Aston Martin.
Johnny Herbert, a former Formula 1 driver, shared his views on the Stay On Track podcast, suggesting that Fernando Alonso holds an edge over Lewis Hamilton in a hypothetical head-to-head duel with equal cars. The two were teammates at McLaren in 2007, Hamilton's rookie year, finishing the season level on points. Since then, Hamilton has secured seven world championships, but his transition to Ferrari in 2025 proved difficult.
Hamilton, now 41, endured a tough campaign, failing to achieve a single podium and appearing frustrated in the latter half of the year. Herbert noted that Hamilton seemed 'lost,' unable to adapt to the car's challenges, while teammate Charles Leclerc managed better. 'I’m sure he’s very frustrated and shocked that he wasn’t able to do it. And then I look at his face and those interviews after the race, and you go, he’s lost,' Herbert said. 'He cannot understand what he needs to do to get around the problem he’s got. And of course, Charles is getting around it.'
In contrast, Alonso has impressed Herbert with his consistency at Aston Martin, where the car has not been front-running. 'Fernando, he’s in a bad car in that Aston Martin. It’s not the best. It’s sort of there or thereabouts sometimes. But he’s able to sort of squeeze that extra something out of it,' Herbert explained. He added, 'If I look at those two, and I go, "right, which one would I expect, if he were given the car, which one would be the one I put my money on?" Unfortunately, sadly, I’d probably go [with] Fernando.'
As both drivers continue into the 2026 season, Herbert's comments highlight the importance of adaptability in Formula 1, raising questions about their performances in more competitive environments.
