Alonso fears for Verstappen at Russian GP

The Russian Grand Prix has all the potential to be a crazy race, with a very surprising top three. Fernando Alonso will have to watch his mirrors a lot because the Spaniard fears for an oncoming Max Verstappen.

Sochi Autodrom is normally a circuit where Mercedes can perform well, so it was expected that Valtteri Bottas or Lewis Hamilton would take pole position today. Especially considering the latter's skills in the rain. It was only Lando Norris who set the fastest lap, followed by Carlos Sainz and George Russell.

Fernando Alonso also put in a good performance in Russia, with the Spaniard finishing sixth on the grid. The Alpine driver told the Spanish media that he will be looking in his mirrors a lot during the race. Alonso fears that Max Verstappen will be able to catch up, as Bottas did two weeks earlier at Monza.

The Dutchman has been given a hefty grid penalty due to an engine change, meaning he will have to start from the back of the field. Verstappen has already shown he is good at overtaking at Sochi, so he may be able to move up into the points.

Alonso has a lot of respect for Verstappen

It is not the first time that Fernando Alonso has shown a lot of respect for Max Verstappen. According to the Spaniard, the Dutchman is currently the fastest driver in Formula 1. Alonso also sided with Verstappen after the Italian Grand Prix, by calling the incident between the Dutchman and Hamilton a racing incident - as opposed to the crash at Silverstone.