Charles Leclerc and Three More Trash Fernando Alonso’s ‘Low-Level’ Drivers Remark

Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, Oliver Bearman and Pierre Gasly have voiced their displeasure at Fernando Alonso’s contentious statement. The Spaniard dubbed the bottom third of the F1 grid as “low-level” drivers who “lack talent” after the end of the race in Texas. While Leclerc said the level of talent throughout the grid was “very, very high,” Bearman called Alonso’s criticism “harsh.”

“The level is very, very high. It doesn’t matter if it’s at the top, in the middle, or at the bottom. The only thing that changes is the car,” said Leclerc at the Mexican GP media day.

Meanwhile, Bearman voiced his disagreement, saying, “I think it’s a bit harsh conclusion. The level is pretty something. I wouldn’t say it’s a matter of quality, but rather about trying to find gaps. It’s very complicated when the top eight is occupied by the top four teams.”

Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly Do Not Agree With Fernando Alonso Either

Alonso made the controversial comment in the aftermath of his crash with Alex Albon at the United States GP. Albon, in his bid to overtake Alonso in Turn 11 of the opening lap of the race, ended up in the side of the Spaniard’s Aston Martin. While the stewards did not find either of them at fault, they both took damage and finished 16th (Alonso) and 17th (Albon).

Perez argued that drivers are rather emotional right after they get out of the car after a race and do not necessarily say what they actually feel. Additionally, the Mexican driver spoke about the level of drivers, which he believes is separated only by the level of the cars they drive.

“Right after getting out of the car, we say things we don’t really feel. The level of the back end is as high as that of the front,” he argued.

“Some of those at the top would get similar results with the lower-end cars, and vice versa. This is the problem with F1, you’re only as good as your car,” Perez concluded.

Gasly too disagreed with Alonso. While he maintained that he held the two-time F1 champion in high regard, this time, they did not see eye to eye.

“You have to believe Fernando. I respect him, but I’d say the grid level is one of the highest, at least in the last nine years. I’ve seen crazier driving. I don’t know what he was referring to,” the Frenchman said.

Fernando Alonso Doubles Down on His Criticism of Back-of-the-Grid Drivers

Contrary to Perez’s belief, Alonso has refused to change his stance a week later. Referring to Albon, the Spaniard opined that he wouldn’t be happy with how often he crashes on the opening lap.

“I think it’s simply a very low level of driving and lack of talent. When you make repeated mistakes throughout the season and have crashes and 50 percent of your race is in Lap 1, if I was the team principal, I would not be happy, but if they are happy, I’m OK with that,” Alonso said at the Mexican GP media day.

Notably, Albon has crashed on the opening lap twice in the 2026 season so far. The Williams driver took a 10-second penalty and retired from the British GP after colliding with Bearman. The United States GP incident with Alonso was the second.

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