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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 25: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 talk on the grid before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 25: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 talk on the grid before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
The last time the two F1 veterans, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, ended up battling against each other for a victory was back in 2007. And quite interestingly, the rivalry did not just stop with the drivers as it also extended itself into the fans.
Consequently, the F1 fandom split into two, as people began to take sides in the Hamilton-Alonso championship fight. Well, 15 years later, the two big names are back at the top, only this time, over social media warfare, thanks to prominent Formula One journalist Jennie Gow.
…and that’s a wrap! Thanks to everyone who took the time to join in the fun. So many of you voting this year – and our #F1WorldCup2021 this year is FERNANDO ALONSO!!! #F1. https://t.co/9Tf0yQqRwp
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) January 5, 2022
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The Southampton native has been busy keeping her Twitter followers engaged over the past few weeks by creating a one-to-one poll in the style of knockouts.
Unlike the actual F1 world championship which is decided on the track, Gow’s ‘championship’ is based on fan polls. So, how does it work? Well, it began with the British journalist picking two random drivers and starting a poll while the fans will have to select the driver they believe could beat the other in equal machinery. The winner faces the next driver while the loser gets knocked out.
Fernando Alonso beats Lewis Hamilton
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 22: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP (L) and Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 (R) talk in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Alonso was on an incredible winning spree, as fans constantly voted for the Spaniard irrespective of who he found himself up against. For instance, prior to facing Hamilton, Alonso had the big task of defeating the 2021 world champion, Max Verstappen.
Alonso is unstoppable!!!! Or is he??? It’s one of the clashes of the competition…Alonso or Verstappen? In equal machinery who comes out on top??? Vote now 🗳 #F1WorldCup2021 #F1.
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) January 2, 2022
While it did look like Alonso might have a hard time leaping past the Dutchman, it was pretty much a straightforward victory for Alonso; The Alpine driver received 68.3% of the votes. Then followed Valtteri Bottas; Alonso thrashed the Finn with a vote percentage of 86.7%.
Round 18! It’s Alonso (winner stays on) taking on Bottas. In an battle of equal machinery – who wins? You vote – you decide! #F1 #F1WorldCup2021
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) January 3, 2022
And for the grand finale, it was Hamilton who lined himself up against Alonso. Being a seven-time world champion, it wouldn’t have been as hard for Hamilton to defeat his former rival, right? Well, the end result had a shocking twist. It was Alonso who instead beat the Briton after receiving 54.6% of the fan votes.
What followed was a massive riot from the fans on social media! Hamilton fans went berserk after hearing that it was the #44 driver that ended up on the losing side. Here are some of the tweets.
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Twitter blows up as Hamilton loses to Alonso
If Alonslow wins this I’ll deactivate 👍 pic.twitter.com/BH5FeHyHDX
— Lujo (@Lujo1860) January 4, 2022
Alonso Vs. Hamilton? pic.twitter.com/kliZ9GkRor
— Engine 11 Position 5 (@EngineMode11) January 4, 2022
So… the people voting forgot this happened in 2007 🤔 Alonso won the title in 06’ and both Hamilton and Alonso had the same car, were both new to the car & Hamilton outdid him in the rankings due to countback… it’s 2022 & Hamiltons improved with 7 titles to his name 😂 GTFOO 😩 pic.twitter.com/0ECasZlPGC
— 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐦.🇬🇧 (@GamieXP) January 4, 2022
The most important thing here is it's on equal machinery with no politics & just on pure racing skills:
Alonso is d 1 out of d 2 who has proved time & time again that he can outdrive & overdeliver no matter the scenario unlike Hamilton who mostly delivers in perfect situations
— Balaji Asari🎮📽📺🏎 (@BalajiAsari) January 4, 2022
To those casually bringing 2007 here, from 2007 to 2013 Alonso had 58 podiums and 1225 points compared to Hamilton's 54 podiums and 1102 points. So, in this period even though Fernando had comparably slower cars than Lewis, Alo scored more points & more podium finishes than Ham.
— Bishal (@bishalc004) January 4, 2022
Hamilton needed 12 laps to overtake him this year in a car that was 3.5 seconds faster 😭😭😭😭
— Real Madridista (@100almablanca2) January 4, 2022
— Jaime (@jaimemg18) January 4, 2022
It was Always Fernando! McLaren sabotaged him in 2007…that is a fact…
— aleksandar novak (@aleksan30409461) January 5, 2022
Don’t deceive yourself the votes are Lewis haters nothing to do with racing.
— junior (@junior4run) January 5, 2022
Thats the only championship he is winning.Twitter poll.Well done Nando.The rookie finished with him years back and he knows it too.
— @mphorampatla (@nkamotshwenyego) January 5, 2022
And I thought April Fools Day was 3 months away. Ah well you've only got to look at who is in government to know people are easily led. I'm done
— Nita Lewsey #TeamLH (@redlucy54) January 5, 2022
Stop it, the Hamilton’s fans are already writing angry emails to the FIA about your Twitter poll 😂😂😂
— Andy Eaves 🇬🇧 (@Andy_Eaves_) January 5, 2022
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Amazing nando!! Lewis might be better with a competitive car but alonso always made out the most of his machinery. And he also made bad career decisions
— Nav | MAX VERSTAPPEN THE FUCKING CHAMPION (@DisgustedNav) January 5, 2022
What is your opinion on the poll results? Do you think the results are fair?
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Read More: Why Do Mercedes Dominate F1?
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