The current world champion should stop complaining and appreciate that he is part of a team that behaves even-handedly towards its drivers.
'Alonso should put more energy into passing his young team-mate on the track rather than trying to out-manoeuvre him in the press'
Within hours of Lewis Hamilton's outstanding maiden victory in Canada, team-mate Fernando Alonso has started whining that McLaren are favouring the rookie driver over him. In an interview with a Spanish radio station, he argued: "We knew all the support and help would go his way. It is something I understand and I'm not complaining."
Alonso is suggesting that because Hamilton is English, and in an English team, the Spaniard is being relegated to second driver in terms of pit-lane tactics and strategy. For me this smacks of extreme sour grapes on the part of Alonso.
I believe the reigning world champion is just trying to create a smokescreen to divert attention away from the fact his rookie team-mate is leading the title charge this season, leaving him trailing behind. The fact is, it should be Alonso who is gaining more points and setting the pace for his young team-mate, and I can't imagine how this kind of complaint to the press is going to help his cause. He is just making excuses for his average performances so far this season.
Not only that, but McLaren are known a team that behave with even-handedness towards their drivers which is more than can be said for some of the other teams on the grid. The last time McLaren had a pair of front-running drivers in David Coulthard and Mika Häkkinen, they backed both drivers equally until it became clear the Finn had a lead that the Scot couldn’t recover. Compare this behaviour to the actions of Ferrari over the past decade, who have geared their entire team towards Michael Schumacher. At times they have even told their No.2 driver to let him past whilst they were leading a race. All of a sudden Alonso’s cry of complaint seems hollow.
The point which really kills off Alonso's ridiculous statement was illustrated by the conduct of the McLaren pit team in Monaco this year. Throughout the race Alonso had led, with Hamilton in hot pursuit. At that point the Spaniard was leading the championship and in prime position to win the race, too.
Hamilton put in magnificent work to keep in touch with his team-mate, but as the race drew on, the youngster was asked to ease off and stop challenging for the lead. Monaco is renowned for the lack of overtaking opportunities, and still Hamilton was told to back off - what more overt backing could Alonso want from his team?
It seems to me that the current double world champion should put more energy into making sure he passes his team-mate on the track than trying to out-manoeuvre him in the press with pathetic and baseless complaints. All the credit should go to Hamilton for his magnificent start to the season, and nothing should be taken away from the talented young driver.Sour Spanish grapes or reasonable criticism? What do you make of Alonso's comments? Post a note below or submit an article to Sportingo.