Fernando Alonso says Lewis Hamilton has been ‘LUCKY’ in his F1 career
Fernando Alonso says Lewis Hamilton has been ‘HAPPY’ in his F1 career having spent years in a ‘dominant car’… but the Spaniard admits his ex-McLaren team-mate and rival is ‘one of the best in the history is’
- Fernando Alonso is open about his relationship with Lewis Hamilton
- The Spaniard labeled the Mercedes driver as ‘one of the best in history’
- But insisted he won his eight championships by having the most dominant car
Fernando Alonso believes Lewis Hamilton has solidified his status as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers ever, but admits his former team-mate was ‘lucky’ to drive for Mercedes during their years of dominance.
The Spaniard currently holds an eight-point lead over Hamilton in this season’s championship, with Alonso’s Aston Martin taking everyone by surprise, while Mercedes continue to struggle.
The competitive pair shared a fierce relationship that eventually fizzled out during Hamilton’s breakthrough years in the sport at McLaren, but appear to be on friendlier terms in the present day.
Hamilton has been the sport’s superstar at Mercedes for the past ten years, winning seven Drivers’ Championships in that time. However, they have struggled for the past two years as Red Bull and Max Verstappen began to have a stranglehold on the sport.
Alonso feels Hamilton will go down as one of the best drivers in history whether or not he wins another title, but labeled his time at Mercedes as ‘happy’, telling Marca: ‘I have a lot of respect for him .
Fernando Alonso (left) has explained his feelings about Lewis Hamilton’s (right) wonderful career
Hamilton has won a record seven Formula 1 world championships
But the Mercedes driver has struggled in a hugely problematic car for the past two years
‘After all, we have rarely come together in the same place in our careers. Maybe this year we will race together and with similar cars in this part of the year.
“In Australia we were within a two-second margin the whole race and it was a very close fight (you think about it), but yeah, I still think he’s one of the best in history.
“At the same time he has been lucky or has known for years to be in a dominant car and when that happens Schumacher won 7 titles, Lewis also 7, Verstappen is on his way to third, I won two.
“To become champion you need the best car,” he added.
Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher all-time for the number of all-time Drivers’ Championships (eight) and is looking to cement his best-ever status with another championship to break the record books.
But he has been hampered by car problems over the past two seasons that have allowed Red Bull to become the sport’s new dominant force.
Alonso’s emphasis on Hamilton having the best car during his reign in F1 is not an understatement or a sly swipe at his competitor.
Alonso (left) is currently ahead of Hamilton (right) in this year’s championship
Alonso’s Aston Martin has been the surprise package on the grid so far this season
Mercedes won eight consecutive constructors’ championships between 2014 and 2021, with the England driver winning the individual title six times, losing only to Nico Rosberg and Max Verstappen.
Pace issues this season, however, have put Hamilton back in the spotlight as a champion who, at 38 years old, could be past his prime.
Although it should be a comfort to Hamilton that Alonso has finished on the podium as the oldest driver on the grid for any race this season at the age of 42.
Meanwhile, Hamilton hopes to win his first race on the calendar at the Baku Grand Prix on Sunday.