Old Alonso-Hamilton rivalry gets fired up again after F1 crash
Aug.31 - Lewis Hamilton's old rivalry with Fernando Alonso is back in the spotlight after the Belgian GP.
As they duelled towards the front of the field on lap 1 at fabled Spa-Francorchamps, their Mercedes and Alpine cars collided - and Alonso vented his fury.
On the radio, the Spaniard told his team that seven time world champion Hamilton - with whom he infamously shared the McLaren team in 2007 - is an "idiot". "I mean, we had a mega-start but this guy only knows how to drive starting first."
Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Hamilton, 37, took the blame for the incident but stopped short of apologising because of Alonso's radio outburst. "It's good to know how he feels towards me," said Lewis Hamilton. I would have spoken with him until I heard what he said."
According to well-known Russian F1 commentator Alexey Popov, though, there is some truth in Alonso's insult.
"If you remove the ugly term 'idiot', he means Lewis is not used to fighting in the field. He's used to starting first and therefore doesn't feel who is in the so-called 'blind spot'.
"But if you're in the pack all the time, you get used to it. So from that point of view, Fernando is right."
Former F1 driver Christian Danner also scolded Hamilton for his explanation of how the accident happened.
"Of course he was solely to blame - he made the move and then said it's not his fault because he was in the blind spot. Is he crazy?" he told Sport1.
"He saw him, overtook him and drove into his car and then says he didn't see him. So either his short-term memory has suffered or he can't bring himself to admit that it was just stupid."
Hamilton has even doubled-down in the days after the clash, posting a photo on social media of a personally autographed Mercedes cap made out "To Fernando".
Alonso is trying to play the saga down.
"I was angry," he admitted, "but it's a shame that when I say something and it is broadcast, what you said becomes what you have to deal with in the media.
"Normally when you speak on the radio it's only for your team, but I was frustrated at that point, for sure."
Antonio Lobato, a veteran Spanish F1 commentator, also jumped to Alonso's defense.
"You can't take 'What an idiot!' from Alonso to Hamilton at face value," he said. "Because in normal circumstances, Fernando would never say that about Hamilton or any other driver.
"What has happened since then is excessive."
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When in stressful situations, many drivers use expletives, which get 'bleeped' out.
Kudos to Alonso for "Idiot..." not " idiot...".
As expected, Lewis had to qualify his response and not include an apology, but he IS sending an autographed cap "To Alonso".
He should send an autographed Mercedes for his rookie mistake That could have ended in injuries to Alonso and himself
Mirror then maneuver Lulu
Kudo's to Alonso for "Idiot ..." and not "BLEEP Idiot...".
This gets blown up nicely!
I think everybody would let go some words we would not be proud of when it would be broadcasted worldwide.
I wonder what Hamilton said at the same moment. Probably not "Upsidaisy"
I have heard/seen him say that Verstappen was "such a dickhead" on TV after he was already back in the cooldown room!
Alonso probably feels he needs to take every oppotunity to have a pop at the rookie who dared to beat him all those years ago.
"Lewis Hamilton's old rivalry with Fernando Alonso is back in the spotlight after the Belgian GP."
Maybe journo's spotlight, not fans. Failed click bait. The only interesting note is that the knight accepted blame. Of course, then he goes on to claim a nearly broken back. Lewie, the Oscar nominations are already sealed and you are top seed for your early season performance.
I'm still trying to puzzle through the thought that sir Lulu couldn't see that Alonso was beside him when he tried a pass, surely he could see Alonsos car in his offside mirror as he rolled over Alonsos front wheel with his rear.
the mirrors were focused on himself thats why
Well, bottom-line for me is that no-one was injured. I may not be a fan of Dame Lucille, no surprise there, but I don't wish for him - or any driver - to end their career as a result of physical injuries from a shunt.
On the other hand, I think rivalries add a little amperage to the proceedings. Think back to the Senna/Prost duels, Schumacher/Hill, Lauda/Hunt. They were legendary. I'm all for some new legends.
No, certainly no one wants to see any driver receive physical injuries but what will it have done for sir Lulu's narcissistic personality disorder. Lol.
Well, as Noel Coward said: "There's only one thing worse than being talked about, and that's not being talked about."
I seem to remember a race last yr where double world champ Max rode over the Idiots car, and everyone slated him , well everyone but me, now whose hammering the hammer time (what a dumb thing that is , who thought of it a 12yr ) No one because its Sir whinge a lot,recently hes had covid , then long covid, then concussion, broke his back twice,had his races manipulated because hes black ,endured horrendous nasal surgery Now, there's unlucky, and there's Bullshit, im developing a new card game about motorsport heroes based upon a childhood game i played called top trumps, except mines going to be called top Bullshiters, featuring Sir Lewis all moviestar like on the front cover , while on the rear of the box, no that's not decided yet, i'm waiting till season end, there maybe something special to go on the rear..... suggestions welcome lol
So many choices. Will it be: a) A Dame Edna outfit complete with the crazy glasses; b) red sequin gown like the Mars Attacks alien at the White House; or, c) like the lady in a body cast sitting next to Mr. Bean. What'll it be?
On another note, I didn't know The Dame has had nasal surgery. Two broken spines, lingering Covid symptoms, rattled noodle AND #2 seat at Mercedes. My goodness - all that and a net worth north of a quarter billion dollars.
Alonso going soft in his fastoldage, or the media had this in waiting to hype everyone up , it doesnt matter , its still revelvant Apologising for calling her an Idiot, Well he can i wont be lol
He should send an autographed Mercedes for his rookie mistake That could have ended in injuries to Alonso and himself
Mirror then maneuver Lulu
The media are desperate for a story!
Simply a racing incident for which Louise has apologised, kissed Fernando and made up!
IMO Fernando wouldn't have finished any further up the road from where he finally finished anyway, so his car's performance was not badly affected, although Louise was unable to continue. He paid the penalty!
Were things better in the past, an often over used question , not having the years of wisdom that Ror , i cite two examples from my f1 watching years, Senna lamping Irvine 93, and Michael, doing his stormtrooper march into the pits of DC, with Napoleon doing his best to hold him back 98, that's how things got sorted, not all this radio chat, then swapping caps ffs ,
Is that a shot about me being an old fart? LOL
lol not at all, more father thyme, than old fart, i watched the quali , live today for first time in yrs, and damn that crofty a fat git isn't he, what a porker, paid my £15 quid for 3 mths iptv , deals even cheaper its £40 for a year Zillion channels
You are right, Shroppy. Crofty is heart attack material with the extra weight he is carrying around!
Great to hear JB in the commentary team, I hope they keep him to provide some unbiased and sensible insights into the cars and drivers! Di Resta is good too.
di resta is the best of the sky shamilton commentary team by a long shot
I would whole heartedly agree Paul is the only neutral commentator
The rest are biased towards Rusty and the Dame and cannot hide their disappointment when things don't work out for Mercedes. Time to employ commentators with more balanced and informed opinions about F1
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