Debate | Alonso will be vice F1 world champion behind Verstappen in 2023

Fernando Alonso is creeping steadily closer to Sergio Perez in the Formula One championship standings. The 33-year-old Mexican theoretically has the material to match Max Verstappen, but seems to be on a downward spiral.

By contrast, no one - apart from Verstappen - has performed as consistently as Alonso. The F1 veteran has scored at least 15 points in every race weekend so far, with the exception of his home race in Barcelona. The difference between the number two and three in the championship is currently just nine points.

For Alonso, it would be his best result since 2013, when he finished second behind then Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari service. As a side note, Perez has performed particularly poorly in qualifying in recent races. With a normal result on Saturday, he should at least be able to challenge Alonso on Sunday.

Behind Alonso, however, there is another driver approaching the number two and three in the championship. Lewis Hamilton is also performing very consistently so far, scoring two podium finishes since Mercedes' updates were introduced. These three drivers may yet make things difficult for each other this year, but will Alonso still outpace his rivals and become vice-champion behind Verstappen?