Lewis Hamilton uses his 300th Formula 1 race in France as an opportunity to look back at his team-mates: Alonso “the toughest opponent in terms of pure pace “
Ahead of his 300th Formula One Grand Prix at the race in France, seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton looks back at his teammates, singling out Fernando Alonso as his toughest rival over the years.
The Briton made his Formula One debut for McLaren in 2007, where he met the newly-crowned two-time world champion Alonso, who had previously broken the dominance of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari with Renault.
With Schumacher’s first career retirement after the 2006 season, Alonso was considered the heavy favourite for the 2007 title as well as the best driver in the field, but the Spaniard struggled mightily with Formula One rookie Hamilton.
Hamilton fourth most experienced F1 driver of all time at end of season
While the spying scandal cost McLaren all points in the constructors’ championship, Hamilton narrowly edged Alonso into second place behind Kimi Raikkonen in the drivers’ standings after the Woking duo were tied on 109 points, four wins and eight other podiums.
Ahead of his landmark race at Paul Ricard on Sunday, Hamilton has identified current Alpine driver Alonso as his toughest opponent. Hamilton currently has the sixth most starts in Formula One history and is on course to overtake Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button for fourth place at the end of the 2022 season.
Hamilton: Alonso “the toughest opponent in terms of pure pace “
About the “great” Spaniard, Hamilton says: “I think it’s difficult to say who was the strongest competitor because every time you’re with someone you’re at a different point in your life.”
“I remember the task of driving alongside Fernando when I was 22 years old. I was still so young mentally, my skills were ok, but it’s a lot of pressure to race against a driver as big as Fernando.”
“I would say from a pure pace point of view Fernando was the toughest opponent. We had some good battles. I wish we could have more of those. Hopefully he’ll keep racing and we’ll have more in the future,” said the Brit.
Alonso despite tensions in 2007: ‘Always a pleasure’ with Hamilton
From 2007, internal team tensions – Alonso blocking Hamilton in the McLaren pit during qualifying in Hungary, leaving the Briton unable to complete a lap – and team boss Ron Dennis’ favouritism towards Hamilton, as well as the spying saga, led to Alonso and McLaren mutually terminating their contract for 2008.
Hamilton clearly beat Alonso’s replacement Heikki Kovalainen on his way to his first title in 2008, before teaming up with Jenson Button at McLaren before moving to Mercedes in 2013, where he drove alongside Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas, and was given a new team-mate in George Russell for the 2022 season.
Despite the earlier tensions, Alonso says it was “always a pleasure” to race against Hamilton: “I don’t think he’s changed much, to be honest. In 2007 he already had the talent and with his experience he still has it.”
“He is a great driver, a legend in our sport and it was always a pleasure to share that time with him,” Alonso added. “At that time, I don’t think anyone would have thought that someone could win seven titles like Michael [Schumacher]. The journey has been incredible. The team they built over all those years at Mercedes is outstanding. My congratulations on the 300th race. “