(Motorsport-Total.com) — Fernando Alonso thinks Formula 1 fans need to stop playing each other after tweeting clarifications about Lewis Hamilton in a Dutch newspaper interview.
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Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen at the press conference after qualifying in Canada
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in one Interview with Dutch newspaper ‘De Telegraaf’Which was released on Saturday, two-time world champion Alonso talks about his former teammate Lewis Hamilton and current world champion Max Verstappen as they reflected on last year’s podium in Qatar.
Alonso says he thinks Verstappen did “better” than Hamilton last year, was “very impressive” and is a “worthy champion” for 2021, adding: “I have a lot of respect for Lewis Yet it’s different when you’ve won seven world titles and you’re only fighting with your partner.”
“Then I think a championship is worth less when you have fewer titles, but have to fight against other drivers with the same or even better material,” said the Spaniard, who is well known for Max Verstappen’s performance. is excited about and hopes that one day he will be able to compete with the Dutchman at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“I know that one day Max will also want to run long distance races, for example the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” says Alonso. “I’m definitely ready to do that together. If we can drive for a competitive team we should definitely give it a chance.”
Alonso wants to reform social media after provocative statements
But after quotes were raised and several media outlets began to circulate saying that Alonso believed Verstappen’s championship was worth more than Hamilton’s title, Alonso went on to clarify his comments. Took Twitter.
He wrote: “Again… Please all titles are amazing, well deserved and inspiring. Unique to each other and let’s enjoy the champions and legends of our times. I’m tired of constantly searching for headlines. Come on. Enjoy them.”
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The quote and tweet have sparked heated discussion among fans on social media, but Alonso says he wants to “try to help and make social media a better place” by clarifying his comments.
“We all have to work on it,” Alonso said. “We have to stop making fans play against each other. We are all the same [Sache], Great champions, great athletes, and we’re trying to enjoy this good time.”
Hamilton takes a dig at Alonso’s comments
Alonso revealed in the original interview that he did not fight for the title against his Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella in 2005 and 2006, nor did Verstappen fight for victory against Sergio Pérez or his former teammate Alex Albon.
“But mainly [Michael] Schumacher struggled with his teammate Rubens Barrichello for five consecutive champions and Hamilton struggled with Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas,” says Alonso. “It’s different I think.”
But seemingly in response to Alonso’s comments, Hamilton posted a photo of them together on the podium at the 2007 US Grand Prix when they were teammates at McLaren. In that race, Alonso was furious at McLaren for losing to Hamilton – then in his rookie season – amid a bitter season that ended with Alonso leaving the team after just a year.
Hamilton: “It’s interesting to see comments like this”
Hamilton posted a picture of himself standing on the top step of the podium and placing his hand on Alonso’s shoulder with a thumbs-up emoji. After the race in Mexico, Hamilton was asked about Alonso’s statements and photographs, which the Briton could not resist the dig.
“I really don’t have much to say about it. It makes me laugh a little bit to be honest, but I’ve tried to be really respectful over the years.”
“If I was asked, for example, who was the better driver for me, I always tried to give credit, but it’s certainly interesting to see the comments, but it doesn’t really matter. So I just gave it a try.” given thumbs up,” he explains.
Alonso after Verstappen’s win in Mexico: I won’t say anything anymore!
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff doesn’t do well with Alonso either: “He likes to be teased. That’s comedy. It’s in the headlines, and this sport is in the headlines. They’re great champions and Alonso likes to throw something across the room.” But I don’t think it worries Lewis a millimeter.”
When Alonso was asked after the Mexican Grand Prix how he assessed Max Verstappen’s performance as the Dutchman finally broke the winning record, he said: “I don’t talk about others anymore because I think always Misunderstandings happen. It was a very good win.”
With his second title win, Verstappen is now on par with Alonso, although the Red Bull driver has already surpassed the Spaniard in terms of Grand Prix wins. Alonso could well have imagined that Verstappen could get close to the greatest in the sport, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, provided he had the necessary materials, as he says in an interview with ‘De Telegraaf’.
Seven titles for Verstappen? “He has talent,” says Alonso
“We are level now, but I doubt Max will get more world titles in F1. We both have one in karting as well. Especially now that I have a dominant car in Formula 1, driving Max. There will be no time or luxury. Will be much more than my number.”
“Seven titles like Schumacher and Hamilton? It will be difficult, I think,” he says. “But Max certainly has the talent to do it, but you have to have a car that’s been very competitive over the years. You don’t have that guarantee. It’s easy to think Red Bull will be very dominant in the years to come, but We don’t know exactly. I hope Max is lucky.”
Alonso on selfie with Verstappen after winning the title
After Verstappen’s title win in Japan, Alonso was eager to snap a photo with the newly crowned world champion, so he took the opportunity to take a selfie with Verstappen during his post-race interview.
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When asked about the situation, he says: “I’m someone who takes a lot of selfies. That was a great moment. When the race was over, everyone thought Max was not the champion. Then I got dressed and Heard that he had won the title.”
“It was quite confusing for everyone. I then saw him at the venue for a TV interview and thought it was a good time to take a picture. He had just realized he was a champion and I was happy for him. was.”
Alonso: I knew Verstappen’s talent straight away
It was already clear to the alpine driver that Verstappen would become a big name in Formula 1, which is why he swapped his helmet with the Dutchman in Brazil in 2015, when Verstappen still had a regular cockpit. And he was driving for Toro Rosso. In the first free practice session.
“I wish I could swap helmets there,” he explains later. “At the time I already had a whole collection, but one of Max was still missing. It was his first year in Formula 1 and there was certainly a lot of criticism that when he was 17 he had the first There was only one seat. I was one of the people who did that, they thought it was rubbish, because we shouldn’t judge drivers on the basis of their age.”
“If they are better than the others, why shouldn’t they be allowed to drive in Formula 1? I really thought it was cool that we had such a young driver on the grid. Now it’s easier for me to say that Immediately “I saw that he had great talent. Of course, he wasn’t in a super-fast car then. But it was clear that this was the beginning of something beautiful,” Alonso said.
