The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to renew one of the sport’s longest-running rivalries, with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso once again lining up against each other. It will mark the 18th year in which the two champions have shared the grid during their careers.
Hamilton and Alonso first crossed paths as teammates at McLaren back in 2007, instantly creating a rivalry that has endured across multiple teams and eras of the sport. Their contrasting styles and personalities have kept comparisons alive ever since.
That head-to-head was briefly paused when Alonso stepped away from Formula 1 at the end of 2018. His absence during the 2019 and 2020 seasons temporarily brought their on-track battles to a halt.
As Alonso returned and Hamilton continued his long career at the front of the grid, attention has turned to how both drivers have changed over time. Former world champion Damon Hill has recently weighed in on that discussion.
Hill has suggested that Hamilton may no longer be operating at the same level as before, drawing a concerning comparison with Alonso as both drivers move deeper into the latter stages of their careers.
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