Alonso gives a lesson to Hamilton
Fernando Alonso believes he gave Lewis Hamilton a lesson on racing lines. The two drivers engaged in a great battle for ten laps during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
As he continued his impressive climb up the rankings, Lewis Hamilton faced a formidable opponent towards the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso didn’t back down and even made it difficult for the current world champion. For ten laps, the two former McLaren teammates faced off, treating spectators to an exciting duel.
The Alpine driver estimated that this exciting battle allowed Hamilton to learn a new trajectory. Indeed, Hamilton tried to overtake him on the outside several times, without success. It was ultimately a mistake by the Spaniard, who locked up his tires at the first corner, allowing Hamilton to take fourth place. A technique that was quickly adopted by his rival in passing Sainz one lap later.
« I honestly thought I couldn’t hold him for more than one or two laps. I think he learned a few different trajectories in the last three corners after following me for ten laps. He managed to overtake Carlos Sainz in just one lap, using these new trajectories.
This battle was everything.
Old rivals @alo_oficial and @LewisHamilton put on an incredible show on Sunday ⚔️#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/LGqPXTU1VR
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2021
During these ten laps, Alonso delayed the comeback of the British driver, offering Esteban Ocon his first victory in F1 in the process. The French driver could obviously thank his teammate at the end of the Grand Prix. Without him, Hamilton had a clear path to climb up. However, Alonso claimed that his team did not ask him to delay Hamilton. He had just seen it on the circuit’s big TV screens.
« The team didn’t tell me anything. But I knew that every lap where I could keep him behind, it was gold for Esteban Ocon’s victory.
Lucky according to him not to finish his race during the carnage at the first turn, the Spanish driver nevertheless believed in a podium during the race. Alonso however signs his best position this season with a well-deserved fourth place, earning him the driver of the day title.
« I had the pace to probably win the race. After closing the gap with Sainz, I was so convinced of the podium. I was starting to set the best times of the race. I thought I would pass them (the drivers in front of him) and try to win the race… Then I started to realize that maybe winning was not possible. […] Straight line speed was lacking.
