During Friday’s FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix, tensions were palpable between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
- Alonso dubbed Hamilton the “hero of the day” after an on-track incident that left the Aston Martin driver unimpressed.
- Hamilton’s performance woes with Ferrari continued as he struggled to keep pace with his teammate, Charles Leclerc.
- Alonso’s past incidents with other drivers add context to his response on the team radio.
- Alonso hinted at possible retribution later in the season, setting the stage for ongoing drama.
In the second free practice session (FP2) of the Spanish Grand Prix, tensions between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton took center stage. Alonso, known for his sharp wit, was not amused by an incident involving Hamilton, which led to a sarcastic comment from the Aston Martin driver. As Hamilton struggled to find his footing with Ferrari, lapping slower than his teammate Charles Leclerc, Alonso seized the opportunity to express his displeasure.
Alonso, who was trailing Hamilton during the FP2 session, took to the team radio to voice his frustration. With Hamilton benefiting from a tow from Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll, Alonso dryly remarked, “We have the hero of the day in front of us,” a statement dripping with sarcasm. His race engineer, Andrew Vizard, played along, saying, “Yeah, that was clever, wasn’t it? That’s good.” The brief exchange on the radio highlighted the irritation Alonso felt towards Hamilton’s maneuvers on the track.
Hamilton’s day at the Spanish GP saw him finishing 11th on the timesheets. Despite his impressive resume as a seven-time World Champion, he found himself lagging behind drivers like Pierre Gasly and the Racing Bulls’ newcomers, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar. This underperformance was evident as Alonso managed to secure an impressive seventh place in FP2, showcasing Aston Martin’s recovery despite their slow start to the season.
The Spaniard’s tough stance isn’t new; Alonso has been known to express his dissatisfaction with fellow drivers’ conduct. Last year, he had a notable confrontation with Liam Lawson during the United States Grand Prix, where Alonso made it clear that he would seek revenge for perceived slights. His comments following the Spanish GP FP2 incident imply that history might repeat itself, with a promise of retaliation looming large over the current season.
After the FP2 incident, Alonso ominously indicated on the radio the possibility of future payback against Hamilton, stating, “The good thing is that the weekend is very long. Even the championship is very long.” This declaration could spell a thrilling season, filled with intrigue and competitive tension, making every race crucial for both drivers.
Alonso’s sharp words and Hamilton’s continued struggles set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable F1 season.
