Alonso: "I'm not comfortable in McLaren"

[Sting]

Just 1 year older than me

 

[Diego440]

Grenada is off the coast of Venezuela. My parents spent their honeymoon there

 

[TheCracker]

Grenada is off the coast of Venezuela. My parents spent their honeymoon there

...you do remind me a bit of Lewis Hamilton. It must be all those crazy first corner antics you pulled at UKGTP7

 

[Sting]

See even in a thread about Alonso we've gone to talking aboot Hamilton.

Can't get away from the guy.

 

[Diego440]

Hey that wasn't on purpose...

 

[Touring Mars]

See even in a thread about Alonso we've gone to talking aboot Hamilton.

I know. The amount of time that ITV spend talking about Hamilton is getting rather irritating, even if the guy is doing really well. It's as if they are trying to Hamilton us into watching nothing but Hamilton. On the other Hamilton, it's good to Hamilton a British Hamilton doing so Hamilton. There's no Hamilton in my mind that Hamilton will easily Hamilton the BBC's Sports Hamilton of the Year Hamilton.

 

[Diego440]

Now you know what Telecinco (the Spanish channel in charge of showing F1) has been like for the last 3 years

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

To be fair though, Alonso has enjoyed a great deal of attention during his career in F1 as well. The press was all over him when Minardi gave him his rookie ride in 2001 making him one of the youngest F1 drivers of all time... all though the press died out quickly because unlike Hamilton, out of 17 races, the best he could do was a single 10th place finish to go along with his eight DNFs.

It would take Alonso a change in teams, a stint as a test driver and 13 races into the 2003 season to win his first F1 race... and took another 23 races before he would win his second.

In 2005 of course, Alonso is all every one wanted to talk about... and I'm guessing he wasn't complaining about that back then.


Unlike a lot of so-called young phenoms, Hamilton really does deserve the attention he has, and will likely continue to receive. After all, it has taken Hamilton just six races to score nearly as many F1 points than it took Alonso to do three years after joining Formula One.

 

[<_Spike_>]

I know. The amount of time that ITV spend talking about Hamilton is getting rather irritating, even if the guy is doing really well. It's as if they are trying to Hamilton us into watching nothing but Hamilton. On the other Hamilton, it's good to Hamilton a British Hamilton doing so Hamilton. There's no Hamilton in my mind that Hamilton will easily Hamilton the BBC's Sports Hamilton of the Year Hamilton.

For some reason that had me in Hamiltons...eer...stitches

 

[Dougboy]

Unlike a lot of so-called young phenoms, Hamilton really does deserve the attention he has, and will likely continue to receive. After all, it has taken Hamilton just six races to score nearly as many F1 points than it took Alonso to do three years after joining Formula One.

I dont think its fair to compare Hamilton to other 'young phenoms" by how sucessful their debut is. Truth is, not many people are fortunate enough to be put into one of the strongest teams in Forumla one in their debut year. If Hamilton made his F1 debut like a majority of the other drivers...say Spyker, then the hype would be nowhere near where its at today

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I know. The amount of time that ITV spend talking about Hamilton is getting rather irritating, even if the guy is doing really well. It's as if they are trying to Hamilton us into watching nothing but Hamilton. On the other Hamilton, it's good to Hamilton a British Hamilton doing so Hamilton. There's no Hamilton in my mind that Hamilton will easily Hamilton the BBC's Sports Hamilton of the Year Hamilton.

Best. Quote. Ever.

 

[Earth]

I don't think alot of people understand what it means to some to have a man of color do this well at a top form of motorsport.

Lewis Hamilton is the first athlete I have ever called my 'hero'

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I dont think its fair to compare Hamilton to other 'young phenoms" by how sucessful their debut is. Truth is, not many people are fortunate enough to be put into one of the strongest teams in Forumla one in their debut year. If Hamilton made his F1 debut like a majority of the other drivers...say Spyker, then the hype would be nowhere near where its at today

Except he is also leading the 2-time World Champion with six years of F1 experience by eight points after only six races... and last I checked... they are on the same team. I;d say that's rather difinitive proof that he isn't simply great great due to the team he is on. Come on, give credit where credit is due.

 

[KSaiyu]

I don't think alot of people understand what it means to some to have a man of color do this well at a top form of motorsport.

Lewis Hamilton is the first athlete I have ever called my 'hero'

I dunno, I like him because he reminds me of Senna.

 

[<_Spike_>]

I like him because he's a prime example of what this sport has actually been missing in most drivers, especially British drivers.

 

[TheCracker]

I like him because he has nice hair.

 

[Diego440]

I think he's cute

 

[Bram Turismo]

I know. The amount of time that ITV spend talking about Hamilton is getting rather irritating, even if the guy is doing really well. It's as if they are trying to Hamilton us into watching nothing but Hamilton. On the other Hamilton, it's good to Hamilton a British Hamilton doing so Hamilton. There's no Hamilton in my mind that Hamilton will easily Hamilton the BBC's Sports Hamilton of the Year Hamilton.

...Oh god, I think I've just wet myself...

 

[Diego440]

I know. The amount of time that ITV spend talking about Hamilton is getting rather irritating, even if the guy is doing really well. It's as if they are trying to Hamilton us into watching nothing but Hamilton. On the other Hamilton, it's good to Hamilton a British Hamilton doing so Hamilton. There's no Hamilton in my mind that Hamilton will easily Hamilton the BBC's Sports Hamilton of the Year Hamilton.

Hamilton Hamilton Hamilton Alonso Hamilton?

In other news:

There have been some reports in recent days about Fernando Alonso complaining about McLaren favouring Lewis Hamilton and suggesting that Hamilton was lucky to win in Montreal. This needs to be looked at in context.

Alonso told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser that he is not comfortable at McLaren.

"From the first moment, I wasn't comfortable with everything," he said. "It's an English team, with an English team-mate. You know all the help goes his way. I've understood that from the start and I'm not moaning about it."

Given what happened in Monaco, this is an odd thing to say as it is very clear that the team insisted that Hamilton stay behind Alonso, even though he was much faster at that point of the race.

On several occasions this year Alonso has made mistakes - which can hardly be blamed on the team - and in the first 20 laps in Montreal was off three times at the first corner.

There is, on the other hand, a fair argument that Alonso was unfortunate with the Safety Car in Montreal. Hamilton pitted on lap 22 and the Safety Car came out almost immediately. Alonso was due in on lap 23 and had to pit because he did not have enough fuel to go further. As a result he was penalised and dropped back down the order. Towards the end of the race as he fought back he set the fastest lap of the race, suggesting that his car was every bit as good as Hamilton's.

 

[<_Spike_>]

Hamilton makes the next comments...

British Formula One sensation Lewis Hamilton has dismissed accusations of favouritism by his McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso as 'strange'.

The Spanish double world-champion complained that the Woking-based team favoured the young British driver because of his nationality.

Alonso launched the attack on Spanish radio after he was beaten by rookie Hamilton, who claimed his first F1 win in the Canadian grand prix on Sunday.

The Spaniard said that he has 'never felt totally comfortable' since joining McClaren and that a British driver in a British team was getting 'all the support and help'.

The attack comes just days after Hamilton suggested he was ordered by McClaren not to challenge Alonso for the lead at Monaco and subsequently had to settle for second place.

An FIA investigation absolved the team of breaking the rules at Monaco after they insisted that any orders were merely to ensure a McLaren one-two.

Alonso voiced his frustration after he was outshone by his inexperienced team-mate in Montreal, who leapt past the Spaniard to the lead the championship by eight points .

But Hamilton who has made a sensational start to his Formula One career with podium finishes in all of his six races said he could not understand his team-mate's attitude.

He said: "I find it strange that he said that. I feel that, ever since he joined the team, the team has been extremely motivated to push us both towards winning.

"Ron and the guys on the team have been pushing extremely hard and working extremely hard to make sure we have equal opportunities. It's probably always going to be difficult.

"I've got a great relationship with all the guys on the team because I've been there since I was 13.

"But, at the end of the day, when Fernando came into the team, they were extremely excited and I feel that they've built a very good relationship with him.

"So I don't see why he would say that but I guess, because he is Spanish and I am English, he might feel that way but I don't agree with it personally.

"I doubt very much he was expecting me to do as well as I have but I don't know if that's why he would be saying what he's saying.

"Coming into the team, he's the two-time world champion and I don't think he's really been challenged.

"Well, he's had one or two challenges in the past but not from someone as close as me and as good a friend off the track. So it's a very difficult situation."

 

[Diego440]

I remember before the season started, that Alonso and De La Rosa were constantly interviewed, and during one of them, De La Rosa said something like "Alonso is the only double champion on the current grid, and the only champion in McLaren, so we basically do what he says"

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Wasn't sure which of the many Alonso VS Hamilton threads this best belongs in, but this will have to do:

OK, so Hamilton beat Alonso in a tie-breaker for second in the 2007 F1 season, but let's see how they do in a Google Fight!

 

[SauberBMW]

Actually i do agree with Alonso
Mclaren did favour Hamilton over Alonso. they gave Hamilton the better car, the better tests and the overall support.
Don't remember which track but Alonso came in for a stop complaining that his car was shuddering, and the team just dismissed him and said everything is fine
So i dont know about that but what i do know is that if Michael Schumacher came back. Everyone wouldn't be full of themselves.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Where are you getting your facts from???

They seem extraordinarily like the "facts" I have seen "reported" on by the Spanish rumor rags and then spread throughout the various Spanish racing forums.

Please cite each fact with a reputable and confirmed source, thanks:

McLaren did favor Hamilton over Alonso..

They gave Hamilton the better car

All evidence has shown they were given identical cars, and Alonso even had his own engineer and crew who were responsible for setting up the car specifically the way that Alonso and they agreed would work best.... they were also responsible for Alonso's tires during that so-called sabaotage of his qualifying run.. which is very lielly why Alonso quickly took back his accusation and then said publicly that he didn't think anything was wrong with his car.

In fact, because McLaren only had one back-up car, it was confirmed in light of the accusations of unfairness, that it was set-up each race for Alonso... not Hamilton... so if anything Alonso was favored.

The better tests

You do know that the test driver for McLaren happens to be the best friend of Alonso right? And has spoken publicly of his support for Alonso and his desire to see Alonso win the driver&#8217;s championship.

the overall support.

?

Don't remember which track but Alonso came in for a stop complaining that his car was shuddering, and the team just dismissed him and said everything is fine

Not remembering is not exactly a strong vote of confidence that your source or your recollection is very accurate.

 

[Metar]

In fact, because McLaren only had one back-up car, it was confirmed in light of the accusations of unfairness, that it was set-up each race for Alonso... not Hamilton... so if anything Alonso was favored.

I thought McLaren alternated T-cars between drivers?

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I thought McLaren alternated T-cars between drivers?

That's what I thought as well, but because of Alonso's accusations of unfairness, McLaren basically opened the books so-to-speak and apparently one of things that was revealed is that the TC was being set-up for Alonso every race by Alonso's own engineer. Personally, I found that hard to believe, as McLaren seems to always go out of their way to show no preference to either driver... remember how Hamilton was chastised for leading out on the Q3 session in Hungary where apparently it was Alonso's turn (as it was revealed that they even alternated who gets the last lap in qualifying... now that's what I call giving teammates equal opportunities).

 

[Metar]

I recall hearing the commentator at Monza stating "This is Alonso's race. Should he have a problem with the car, it's also his turn with the T-car".

 

[superberkut]

I recall hearing the commentator at Monza stating "This is Alonso's race. Should he have a problem with the car, it's also his turn with the T-car".

Now why would they do that?

Anyone could see that coming from several miles away, even when not using its transponder, much like the SR-71 Blackbird, but not with the transponder bit.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I recall hearing the commentator at Monza stating "This is Alonso's race. Should he have a problem with the car, it's also his turn with the T-car".

Well you get a different commentator then we do, so I can't debate or confirm your recollection but here is a published source that would explain how both could be true:

BTW: Did anyone watch last night's Windtunnel with Dave Despain? He had a very interesting phone interview with F1 correspondent, Peter Windsor, where he shares his "thoughts" on Alonso's claims of unfairness; on the rumors that Alonso has signed some kind of deal with Renault for 2008 and Ferrari starting in 2009; and finally his thoughts on what happend with the ProDrive F1 team.


Here is the transcript of the interview with Peter Windsor, on Windtunnel with Dave Despain on Oct. 14 @ 9pm (EST):


Dave Despain: Peter, the angle on this story that's getting a lot of attention this week, the fact that the FIA, at the request of the Spanish Motorsport Federation, read that Alonso if you chose, will be sending a special scrutineer if you will to insure that team McLaren gives the two teammates, Hamilton and Alonso an equal opportunity to win the title. Give me an opinion on that rather unprecedented decision.


Peter Windsor: I think it is absolutely ridiculous Dave. In fact, I am embarrassed to be talking with someone who is even remotely involved with Formula One when I hear this is going to happen, I think it is insane. It is completely ludicrous.

I mean, Fernando Alonso has had, if any thing, he has been favored by McLaren all year. He has had the spare car set-up for him every race since the British Grand Prix. Normally McLaren alternate between the two. McLaren has given him a different type of brake all year because he didn't like the brakes that were on the car that Lewis Hamilton has been using.

And his complaint in the last race that in the last final seconds of qualifying when they put on a new set of tires, that the pressures were too high. I mean, even if that was the case, and it was deliberate, which it wasn't, even if it was the case, how would a scrutineer at that point be able to tell him anything any way. What is he going to do, go around with a tire valve and start measuring the air pressures? The whole thing is completely ridiculous.

All it means is that every time Lewis is quicker than Fernando, Fernando just puts up his hands and says "Ah, they must be favoring Lewis! It's impossible that the great Alonso can be slower than Lewis Hamilton." And of course the reality is that Lewis has done a better job, he is better organized, and he is a faster driver.

So seeing as the British GP came after Monaco, they were still alternating back then, but apparently after the first 8 races, they stopped alternating, and the spare car was only set-up for Alonso. Unfair to Alonso? me thinks not.

 

[Metar]

So seeing as the British GP came after Monaco, they were still alternating back then, but apparently after the first 8 races, they stopped alternating, and the spare car was only set-up for Alonso. Unfair to Alonso? me thinks not.

I get RTL guys, so Christian Danner and Heikko Wasser.

But again - my memory was correct that they did it, but you brought facts that this also changed the McLaren practice..