It has finally begun! Something we as fans have been waiting for, the 2023 championship season is finally underway. For the new fans of the sport, it was an unsurprising result with Max Verstappen starting the season exactly how he ended 2022, with a win. However, for the fans who have been following the sport since 2007, it was a blast from the past. The mouthwatering battle between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso was the highlight for such fans. This battle between the old foes also produced an incredible moment off the track which the fans couldn’t help but celebrate.
For the unaware, Hamilton started life in the premier class as Fernando Alonso‘s teammate at McLaren in 2007. The two developed a fierce rivalry, resulting in a fiery on and off-track relationship. Hamilton finished his rookie season ahead of Alonso in the driver’s standings with similar points. Alonso and Hamilton’s relationship deteriorated, and the Spaniard left McLaren at the end of the season.
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Since 2007, there has been a subtle yet lingering tension between the two. In 2022, we often saw occasions where the rivalry was not subtle at all as well. However, despite the off-track tension, the two are fierce and respectful competitors and they showcased exactly that in Bahrain.
The on-track battle between the two was the highlight of the race for many. The Mercedes man passed Alonso’s AMR23 on the opening lap of the race. However, Alonso fought back and left Hamilton in the Bahrain dust to clinch his first podium for Aston Martin.
Read More: Fernando Alonso & Lewis Hamilton Roll Back the Clock
This racing scenario also produced a heartwarming moment during Alonso’s post-race interview that the fans can’t help but celebrate.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso produce a moment of pure class in Bahrain
During Alonso’s post-race interview, Hamilton walked up to the Spaniard, hugged him, and congratulated him for his P3 finish. This moment of class and mutual respect between the two, shared on Twitter, is making the fans appreciate their sportsmanship.
while Lewis and Alonso might not see eye to eye, that battle they had showed they both respect each other a great amount on track
— Fin (@fin_ewt) March 5, 2023
He genuinely loved racing Alonso. Love to see it. If there’s no battle up front we’ll take it where we can get it.
— Oliver Chinyere (@Oliverdirtyb) March 5, 2023
Fans can point out how much the Brit enjoyed racing his old foe and rolling back the years. This is exactly why the fans could not help but appreciate the two champions. Or as one user tweeted, “Our ’07 legends”.
Our '07 legends
— sportswitch (@jeshablog) March 5, 2023
A fair fight between 2 champions.
— YoyoRjk⁴⁴ (@yoyor1977) March 5, 2023
Their battle was great but respectful. Alonso might be salty about 07 but he can at least race without crashing. Highlight of the race, that and Lando…
— Andrew Elliott (@andrewje_home) March 5, 2023
Maybe not but I am telling myself that these two great drivers are just happy to race each other
See my homepage plz— Venuspark (@Venuspark19) March 5, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Finds Himself in an Unusual Situation With His Teammate for the First Time Since 2007
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Sportsmanship.
Max would have crashed on the back of Hamilton or would show this respect.
— TC (@TichChamunorwa) March 6, 2023
lewis just enjoys battling with someone who’s not trying to kill him on the track https://t.co/vPnRo6GfiU
— k 🐈⬛ (@kaiixlh) March 5, 2023
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Some fans point out how Hamilton’s battle with Alonso was incident free, unlike his battles with Verstappen. Hard but clean racing. This is exactly what most fans want to see.