Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time with a joint record of seven championships alongside the legendary Michael Schumacher. But what makes the Briton all the greater is the sheer amount of respect he receives from his rivals.
A former Ferrari employee has shed light on the details of how much double-world champion Fernando Alonso respected Hamilton. Alonso was well aware of the threat Hamilton posed even during his Ferrari days as the two were teammates at McLaren in 2007.
Hamilton was always on Alonso’s radar: Ex-Ferrari employee
A former Ferrari employee back in 2014 explained how Lewis Hamilton was the only driver that Fernando Alonso always kept on his radar. “In my time at Ferrari, Lewis was the only other driver Fernando worried about. Yes, other drivers might have been in faster cars and he’d accept that,” he explained.
The former Ferrari employee explained that Alonso had a greater focus on Hamilton because he was aware of the Briton’s potential, having seen it himself during their McLaren days. In his very first year in F1, Hamilton finished level on points with Alonso.
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Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton could battle for second in the championship
Max Verstappen and Red Bull have so far emerged as the most dominant this season. After winning a record 15 races last year, the Dutchman carried on his form into this season and has already clinched victories in Bahrain and in Australia.
While Verstappen is in a world of his own, the battle behind him seems tight in the championship. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, is currently second in the championship with 54 points.
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He is nine points ahead of third-placed Fernando Alonso and a further seven points ahead of fourth-placed Lewis Hamilton. Considering how close the three are currently in the championship, the battle for second could prove to be very interesting.
The Constructors’ Championship also witnesses a similar scenario as Red Bull are way ahead. The Milton Keynes outfit have have a 58-point lead over second-placed Aston Martin and a 67-point lead over third-placed Mercedes.
Hence, it seems that both Mercedes and Aston Martin have a lot to improve if they are to take the fight to Red Bull in the races to come. The next race will take place in Baku from April 28 to 30.
