Many hail Fernando Alonso as a more complete talent than Lewis Hamilton, pointing to his more holistic racing abilities compared to the seven-time world champion. However, it is the lack of as many world championships and race wins to his name that doesn’t back up the Spaniard’s extraordinary talent.
Alonso’s ill-timed career moves are often cited as the reason behind his winning just two titles. Recently, a panel of experts on the Pelas Pistas podcast spoke about his choices from a broad perspective. Tom Clarkson, a noted F1 journalist, recalled one of Alonso’s interviews where they spoke about his McLaren contract in 2007.
Clarkson revealed how the Spaniard claimed that he wished to retire after his three-year deal with McLaren was going to run out in 2009. Naturally, that association ended after just one season due to the tensions between Alonso and a rookie Hamilton. Clarkson felt that Alonso was “unprepared” for life beyond his stint with the Woking-based outfit.
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He also highlighted how the #14 driver had actually made a good decision by switching to Ferrari in 2010. Alonso came the closest to winning his third world championship with the Scuderia on two occasions — in 2010 and 2012. But both times, he agonizingly lost out to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.
Alonso ran out of patience due to his lack of success at Ferrari, who were willing to retain the Spaniard for a longer contract beyond 2014. Clarkson highlighted this “lack of patience” as the biggest bugbear of Alonso’s career post-2007. “That’s actually the point, not the ability to read what’s going on, it’s the lack of patience.”
Alonso moved teams at the wrong time or joined the right team at the wrong time. His return to McLaren in 2015 was a classic example. On the other hand, Hamilton played the long game, which earned him immense success at Mercedes.
Will Hamilton’s move to Ferrari be the correct one?
Hamilton has switched teams only twice in his 18-year career. His first move, from McLaren to Mercedes, led to him becoming a seven-time world champion. Although his Ferrari stint (the second switch) has not yet begun, it looks to be a wise decision, as the Maranello-based outfit is expected to be at the front in 2025.
However, Nelson Piquet Jr. feels it would be premature to call the move successful before Hamilton even races for Ferrari. He is uncertain whether Ferrari can actually be a championship contender, given how close the field was last season.
“You can’t say if next year, McLaren will be better, Ferrari will be better, Red Bull, maybe even Mercedes shows up with a better car next year. It’s so close”, the former F1 driver said. He did acknowledge that Ferrari will be carrying the momentum from a strong finish to the 2024 season, but so will McLaren.
Having won their first Constructors’ title since 1998, the Woking-based outfit will certainly fancy their chances at both championships. Hamilton will face stiff competition, even if Ferrari provides him with a championship-worthy car. Nevertheless, the #44 driver will be gunning for his record eighth title, and if he can secure it with the Prancing Horse, it will go down as one of F1’s most iconic moments.
