Two-time World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi has revealed his top five favorite drivers on the 2026 grid, and it's a bit of a shocker. Despite praising Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as strong drivers who give Ferrari everything they need to compete, the Brazilian legend didn't include either of them in his personal favorites list. Instead, Fittipaldi's inner circle consists of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and topping the lot, Fernando Alonso.

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What's interesting is that Fittipaldi clearly has history with the younger generation. He's known Antonelli since his karting days and is mates with Kimi's dad, so there's genuine affection there. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver really impressed Fittipaldi this season, especially after pulling off an incredible win from P19 at Monza on home soil despite a power unit penalty. For Fittipaldi, that Monza victory showed Antonelli's ability to handle pressure when it matters most.

The real standout pick, though, is Fernando Alonso as Fittipaldi's absolute favorite. Trouble is, Alonso's been stuck fighting with Aston Martin's struggles and Honda's engine woes, so he hasn't had many chances to shine. Through 15 rounds, Alonso's only picked up points twice all season. That says everything about how talented Fittipaldi thinks Alonso is when you realize he's still the Brazilian's top choice despite the team's difficulties.

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Fittipaldi also backed Fred Vasseur's Ferrari operation, echoing sentiments from both Hamilton and Leclerc who've been defending their team principal amid speculation about his future. The legend reckons Ferrari and McLaren will both be firing on all cylinders by the end of 2026, so there's plenty of optimism about what's to come for the Scuderia despite their current power deficit compared to Mercedes.

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It's a curious mix of picks that shows Fittipaldi rates both raw pace and how drivers handle adversity. Leaving off Hamilton, who's had a massive comeback year with Ferrari after a nightmare 2025, proves the legendary racer isn't just looking at points and wins. Sometimes it's about the whole package, the hunger, and how you perform under pressure.

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