Alonso: “A new coexistence with Hamilton would no longer be a problem”

In fourteen seasons, almost fifteen, played in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso has never suffered pressure from his teammates. Except during his first experience in McLaren (2007 season), when the friction between the Spaniard and the then rookie Lewis Hamilton created quite a few problems for Ron Dennis.

Ferrari benefited from the internal feud within the Woking team, winning the drivers' titles with Kimi Raikkonen and the constructors' title (McLaren was relegated to last place due to the note relating to the spy story).

Now, nine years after that turbulent coexistence, Alonso is convinced that the relationship with Hamilton would be completely different within the same garage: “I think it would be different – the Spaniard declared in an interview with ESPN – We are both more mature, we respect each other. Today the stables are, in a certain sense, better prepared to deal with this type of situation".

"2007 was a very particular year – remembers the Spaniard – Lewis, being very young, was very protected by the team and was also part of their youth team. We had a very competitive car and we were fighting for the World Championship".

If Jenson Button decides to end his professional history with McLaren (which began in 2010) at the end of the season, Stoffel Vandoorne should be alongside Alonso. Despite his young age, the Belgian driver immediately demonstrated enormous talent, immediately scoring points in Bahrain on his official debut in Formula 1. For the two-time world champion, Vandoorne's promotion would not create any "environmental difficulties".

"A situation similar to the one experienced with Hamilton would not happen again – reassures the pilot from Oviedo – Lewis is English. Stoffel no. This detail is enough to motivate my answer".

Piero Ladisa