Alonso Shows Hunger 20 Years Later, Hamilton Appears Dimmed, Piquet Says

Veteran driver Fernando Alonso is still described as hungry, while seven‑time champion Lewis Hamilton seems to have lost that fire, according to former F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. The contrast comes amid talk that Hamilton may still be able to chase an eighth title, with Nigel Mansell urging him to seize the moment.

Why it matters:

• Passion drives aggression and consistency – the hallmarks of champions.
• A waning Hamilton could force Mercedes to rethink race strategy for the title fight.
• Alonso’s lingering drive keeps Ferrari in podium contention and adds narrative intrigue.
• Ferrari’s winter upgrades and Mercedes’ benchmark status raise the technical stakes of the driver duel.

The details:

• Nelson Piquet Jr. says Alonso shows hunger 20 years ago, while Lewis Hamilton’s fire appears dimmed.
• He notes Hamilton no longer displays the love, passion, and hunger he once did.
• Age contrast: Alonso 45, Hamilton 41 – Piquet argues age isn’t the driver of hunger.
• Nigel Mansell says Hamilton looks re‑invigorated and could still chase an eighth title, urging him to seize the chance.

What's next:

• The upcoming Grand Prix will test whether Hamilton’s renewed motivation can convert into points.
• Alonso’s performance will be watched to see if his hunger yields podium finishes.
• Teams may adjust driver‑development and race‑strategy plans as the championship heads into its decisive phase.