Rivalries often transcend the sport itself, becoming part of its very fabric. The seeds of the Alonso-Hamilton rivalry were sown in the McLaren garage during the 2007 season. This was a partnership marked by soaring ambitions and a stark clash of egos. Lewis Hamilton, a rising star handpicked by McLaren, took on the reigning heavyweight champion Fernando Alonso, who was eyeing his third consecutive title. The first race of the season in Melbourne saw Hamilton’s audacious overtaking move on Alonso, setting the stage for a tumultuous season.
As the races unfolded, the rivalry between Alonso and Hamilton intensified, driven by their insatiable thirst for victory. Alonso, who had been accustomed to being the team’s undisputed star, found himself grappling with a determined newcomer who was unafraid to challenge his supremacy. The Monaco GP incident, where Hamilton defied team orders to chase victory, marked a turning point, exposing the growing chasm between the two drivers. Their rivalry was characterized not only by fierce battles on the circuit but also by behind-the-scenes power struggles and strategic gambits.
Over the years, the bitterness has faded, and both Alonso and Hamilton have embarked on their own trajectories of success. However, recent statements from Alonso shed light on a buried jealousy. The Spaniard’s comments about Hamilton’s prolonged exposure to a dominant car and his own struggles to secure championships have unveiled a new layer of emotions that challenges the narrative of a completely reconciled rivalry. But could there be untold narratives, hidden beneath the veil of professionalism?
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Peter Windsor recently opined that Alonso’s outward camaraderie with Hamilton may mask deeper undercurrents. In a live analysis of the Dutch GP, Windsor mentioned, “I think Fernando is outwardly quite friendly with Lewis these days and vice versa but if you get Fernando in a quiet moment he’ll still say ah when I retire I’ll tell the real story of what happened at McLaren things like that and you think well what is the real story what happened to McLaren what could it be other than Lewis did a very good job that in 2007.” This statement delivers a sobering reality check. Windsor’s assertion alludes to an unspoken acknowledgment of Hamilton’s prowess, a sentiment that might be hard for Alonso to fully embrace.
While the rivalry may have transformed into mutual respect over the years, the unspoken grudge might continue to simmer beneath the facade. The true slap of reality lies in Windsor’s assessment that Lewis’s performance was exceptional in the pivotal 2007 season, hinting at the source of Alonso’s lingering envy
Fernando Alonso’s revelations about ‘Pitlanegate’ incident
The 2007 Hungarian GP became a pivotal battleground for the McLaren drivers’ championship fight. Alonso’s recent insights, shared in an in-depth interview, peel back the layers of the past, presenting his side of the story. The incident, now known as ‘Pitlanegate,’ revolved around a dramatic qualifying session where Alonso and Hamilton locked horns for pole position. Alonso’s recounting unveils a perspective that has been largely unheard of.
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The most pettiest moment in F1 history, Fernando Alonso blocks Lewis Hamilton during a double stack and this is the moment Alonso showed how much he didn’t/doesn’t like Lewis. 2007 will always be in his mind. pic.twitter.com/pyF50u3ruS
— The Best Pinned Tweet 🔥 (@MrHemJ) September 19, 2022
Alonso reflects, “The things that have been talked about and have been published… could lead to misunderstandings… No one heard my version, or the truth, or the facts.” His explanation hints at an underlying discontent rooted in Hamilton’s refusal to yield track position despite team instructions. He recounted his perspective that the team provided him with old tires during the crucial qualifying, contributing to the tensions that eventually culminated in ‘Pitlanegate.’ The revelation that McLaren lodged a protest against Alonso himself, a move unprecedented in history, underscores the extent of internal discord that marred the team’s unity.
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What do you think will their renewed coexistence lead to a closure of past animosities?
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