Fernando Alonso thought Lewis Hamilton had cost him a chance to score some extra points after taking the chequered flag at the end of the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Aston Martin driver complained his rival failed to stay close to the queue of cars ahead of them as they drove to the finishing line. Alonso was hoping to benefit from any penalties for drivers ahead of them.“Hamilton misses the lesson of being close to the car in front,” Alonso observed after taking the chequered flag. “Yeah, that was annoying,” replied his race engineer Chris Cronin.
The race finished under the Safety Car which meant drivers could not overtake each other. In line with regular procedure, the Safety Car entered the pits at the end of the final lap and the field crossed the finishing line without it.
Alonso stayed close to the tail of Hamilton and even had to back off to avoid catching him as they drove towards the finishing line. Hamilton, however, dropped back from the car ahead of him.
As they crossed the line Alonso, seventh, was just 0.259 seconds behind Hamilton in sixth. However the Ferrari driver was 7.2s behind his team mate in fifth place.
Hamilton, and therefore Alonso, was in no position to benefit if Leclerc or any driver ahead of them received a five-second time penalty. However this was largely not down to Hamilton’s driving.
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Although Hamilton could have been closer to the car ahead of him in the queue, this wasn’t Leclerc, but one of seven lapped cars which separated him from his team mate. The Ferraris were separated by Oliver Bearman, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar and Alonso’s team mate Lance Stroll. The presence of those cars accounted for the vast majority of the time gap which irked Alonso.
That said, within that queue of cars, only one driver was closer to the car ahead of him than Alonso was, and only one driver was further behind the car he was following than Hamilton. The gaps were as follows: Leclerc – 0.275s – Bearman – 1.739s – Tsunoda – 1.562s – Colapinto – 0.861s – Bortoleto – 0.071s – Gasly – 0.787s – Hadjar – 0.326s – Stroll – 1.650s – Hamilton – 0.259s – Alonso.
As Alonso’s radio chatter shows, Aston Martin were eyeing the possibility of penalties for the drivers ahead of him after the Safety Car was deployed because of a collision between the McLaren drivers:
| Lap: 66/70 ALO: 1’39.524 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | Safety Car, Safety Car. Run switch cool. Keep it positive. We’re staying out. Bit of shunt on the way into turn one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | Copy, how many laps? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | Over the line, it’ll be four to go. Okay, so we’re going through the pit lane. Through the pit lane Fernando. So reminder pit limiter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | Copy. Through the pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | Everyone will follow you. So it’s just Norris stopped on the way to turn one left-hand side so going through the pit lane should be clear of any debris. Get the delta positive monitor once you’re back under the Safety Car line. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 67/70 ALO: 1’53.748 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | He passes the Safety Car I overtake the Safety [Car] I think? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | So it’s still through the pit lane, still through pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | Okay, through the pit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 69/70 ALO: 1’36.570 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | Alonso drops back from the queue of cars ahead as they pass through yellow flags at the pit lane exit We’re out of the double yellow. Let’s try and catch up as best as we can. Back of the field’s currently around turn 10. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | So we’ll come back through the pit lane. I know you’re doing your best, but it’d be good to catch the queue just in case there’s any penalties for cars ahead. So back through pit lane, reminder pit limiter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | Yeah, pit lane. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | It’s now one lap to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | We will pass [the chequered flag] on the straight, I guess. Still double yellow, or? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 70/70 ALO: 1’27.108 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | It is still double yellow, affirm, still double yellow where you are now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | Alonso drops back from the queue of cars ahead as they pass through yellow flags at the pit lane exit Clear of double yellow so we can push again. Back of the field’s at turn eight. |
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| Cronin | Russell is backing everyone up, so you might just get to the back of the pack, so just caution. We’ll stay on track, so the Safety Car will come through the pit lane, we’ll stay on track. This will be the end of the race, so make sure you’re close just in case of any penalties for cars ahead of you. Stay out. Stay out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | That is the flag, so that is P7 for now. Well done mate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alonso | We are within five seconds of interesting people or no? Hamilton misses the lesson of being close to the car in front. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronin | Yeah, that was annoying wasn’t it? I’ll let you know in a sec, I’ll just give you some switches, let’s get HPP off. Run switch, warm-up. We need MFB blue override position 12. MFP blue override position 12. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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After taking the chequered flag Alonso noted several drivers, including his team mate, overtaking cars when they were not allowed to as they were still under Safety Car conditions. Seven drivers later received warnings for those errors.
At the time, Alonso thought the transgressions might lead to penalties, and joked that the team’s sporting director Andy Stevenson had a long evening ahead of him:
| Alonso | Still yellow and Safety Car so tell Lance, maybe. |
| Cronin | Yeah, copy, understood. Yeah, so no passing. Safety Car still active. No passing, no overtaking. Good point. |
| Cronin | Piastri was involved in that incident, Fernando, and he’s within, I think, 10 of him, so… |
| Alonso | Alright, and check if someone did pass in the first couple of corners. Yeah, we’re watching. |
| Cronin | We see at least two or three, so we’re monitoring that, Fernando. |
| Alonso | Yeah, well done guys. Not an easy race but we executed well, especially yesterday, so yeah. |
| Cronin | Yeah, that was good. |
| Alonso | On to the next one. |
| Cronin | Exactly, yeah. Let’s crack on now. That first stint was difficult. So we’ve seen more cars overtaking so [unclear]. |
| Alonso | Yeah. It will be a good afternoon. Sorry Andy, if you have a flight soon… |
| Cronin | Yeah, he’s got a bit on. |
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2025 Canadian Grand Prix
- Don’t boo Piastri, Norris tells British Grand Prix fans
- Fine teams for “long shot” protests like Red Bull’s in Canada, says Wolff
- Verstappen refuses to say whether he supported Red Bull’s latest Russell protests
- No change to McLaren’s ‘papaya rules’ after Canadian GP collision – Piastri
- The driver and car explanations for how Piastri turned the tables on Norris
J765
18th June 2025, 9:33
Old man yells at cloud
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
18th June 2025, 12:04
Old man is quite clever and knows if there’s a chance to gain a position, he’ll take it.
DAH
19th June 2025, 2:25
Which “old man”? You do know that they are BOTH in their 40’s right?
bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
19th June 2025, 6:44
It’s a meme. The old isn’t necessarily the point (though it’s often perceived that old people do it more) it’s about passionately complaining at / about something which can’t be changed and is thus futile.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:15
J765 lives to badmouth Alonso. I rarely see him post outside of articles which present a chance for him to insult him. It’s rather sad.
Dave
19th June 2025, 16:25
He just stated a fact and nothing more. Whether it was Lewis or any other driver on the grid, he would have said the same thing.
I wonder how many other drivers would have done the same as Lewis, not realizing they could lose out on moving up if a penalty was handed out.
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
18th June 2025, 9:59
Living rent free since 2007!
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th June 2025, 17:21
Is living rent free mentioning someone you fell out with 20 years ago by name now?
Or is it fans using an opportunity to satisfy a narrative that only lives in their head?
Guenther Schuldt Filho
18th June 2025, 18:16
HAM finished my career, that’s why I need to report him.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:34
Yeah, he totally finished his career… “Fans”like you taint fan discourse and make it hard to have serious let alone civil discussions.
BTW, he didn’t “report” Lewis or even mention anything to the media. So, you’re literally talking about imaginary scenarios that exist only in your head.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
18th June 2025, 23:51
Yes, I don’t really like this rent free expression, often used inappropriately, in fact alonso complimented hamilton a lot during years like 2017-2018, when he was fighting with vettel for titles.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:26
Seems like neither are very concerned with each other yet both drivers seem to live rent free in many of their fans’ heads.
BTW, this is such a silly comment since this was only discussed over the radio. Alonso didn’t go to the media and complain. No one would even know if RF wasn’t combing through the radio transcripts looking for a way to get clicks and arguments/comments.
AlanD
18th June 2025, 10:29
Maybe Hamilton, knowing he had LeClerc in front of him, was being smart and making sure that if Charles had a five second penalty for soething, that he wouldn’t go tumbling down the order. No, I don’t think that is likely either, but it does illustrate why time penalties are a pretty dumb.
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
18th June 2025, 12:24
They used the same strategy last race. Probably their go to moving forward.
anon
18th June 2025, 13:03
Whilst it’s more likely to be down to the lapped cars being in the way, there is a small possibility that could be the case – we know that Leclerc was investigated for a possible infringement of the rules after the race, and some teams appear to have asked whichever driver was further back to sometimes drop back to offset the effect of a time penalty in the past.
Mayrton
18th June 2025, 12:38
To be honest I didn’t even see Lewis this weekend. He might be better off quitting F1 since all he does is devaluating his statistics. What are the chances he will luck into the best car on the grid once again next year? Too small to take the risk imho.
F1Genova (@f1genova)
18th June 2025, 21:12
Fernando, is that you?
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
18th June 2025, 23:52
Might as well try, he’s still making a lot of money and doing what he likes, however it might take more than the best car for him to win a title nowadays, if I were him I’d aim for the odd win.
Mayrton
19th June 2025, 10:22
If he still enjoys it and is fine with an occasional win, then by all means. He does however keep a seat occupied that could see new talent driving it. And my main point is that his ratio’s are going down the drain, which is a pity because statistically he is (still) quite an F1 driver.
David BR (@david-br)
19th June 2025, 11:34
There’s a difference between accumulated records (titles, poles etc.) and statistical averages. Though Verstappen often claims to be uninterested in records, we all know that’s untrue. But averages? Following that mindset, Alonso should have retired after two titles. As we know, he didn’t. And clearly has no regrets about continuing (still). He’s a race and loves racing, his most endearing quality. Well that and being a producer of some smart overtakes and smarter comments over the intervening years. Hamilton is the same mould though possibly more self-critical. Were he less so publicly, I imagine his detractors would have a lot less to feed on. He’s still one of the best drivers on the grid, the one wet weather race we had this year showed his skill and speed when the conditions (and car) suit him. True, if the new regulations still don’t suit him, maybe he should rethink continuing as he seems to enjoy not winning far less than Alonso. But really, the statistics argument is not one I think any top F1 driver would or should consider.
Edvaldo
18th June 2025, 14:15
One day Hamilton will come out and say he thinks Alonso never liked him, just like Vettel did a couple years ago, and Alonso will embarrassingly say it’s not true again, even if it obviously is.
These 2 guys completely obliterated his dreams of being the next Schumacher, which he did look en route to be after his 2nd WDC and he vents his frustration at the tiniest spark every single time.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th June 2025, 17:24
Should Alonso like him?
Do you think it’s more likely Alonso was disappointed at the poor racecraft of the driver in front or that he thought, “better try to make Lewis look bad to my team due to a dispute we had 18 years ago” and hope Racefans publish it?
faulty (@faulty)
18th June 2025, 17:49
Well, now that you put it like that…
SteveP
18th June 2025, 18:22
Maybe he was having a grouch because he couldn’t use his undamaged car to get past Hamilton in a damaged car?
Then in a SC train he has LH, with a collection of back markers he’s not allowed to pass and that show little inclination to minimise the gaps.
For the back markers, why would they? There was zero chance of them getting even one point.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th June 2025, 19:12
Are you inferring the cars are equal? Looking at their teammates, Charles finished 5th, Lance finished 17th – presumably Alonso was happier at the race result than Lewis.
Is your second paragraph not justification for why Alonso called out only Hamilton?
SteveP
18th June 2025, 23:48
1st para: I was pointing out that he was probably grouchy because in an undamaged AM, he didn’t have enough to catch and pass a damaged Ferrari.
2nd para: No, the exact opposite.
Without LH there, he’d have still been approx 6 seconds away from even a sniff of any points benefit. Pointing fingers at anyone specific in the train was pointless. Why should any driver in that train close their gap to assist LH and FA?
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
19th June 2025, 5:21
Steve, what evidence do you have to support he was upset in any way. Alonso is merely stating that Hamilton was asleep and not taking full advantage of the situation, why have you made up his emotional state?
It’s not pointless. Every lapped driver ahead of Hamilton would not get a benefit of a penalty for one of the top 4. They are, as you recognise, under no obligation to assist. But Hamilton is. If Hamilton was closer to the car ahead by half a second he would have gained a place if Max got a 10s penalty for overtaking under the SC. So it’s a) worth driving as close to the car ahead as possible and b) only Hamilton who was in any position to benefit and hurt both his and Alonso’s chances by not doing it. Hence the only person that can be singled out is Hamilton, it’s not some great conspiracy.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:36
SteveP loathes Alonso and will take any opportunity to smear him. It’s pointless discussing anything related to FA with him. He’s in good company though. There’s a whole group of them here.
SteveP
19th June 2025, 15:26
GB, theirs only one word needed to answer that, but I won’t write it.
Suffice to say that it rhymes with rowlocks.
I do think FA plays games with media coverage – like he ‘just happens’ to make this recent comment over the radio.
Throw the pebble in the pond and stand back to watch the ripples…
Oh, and given the content of the amassed GB postings, my mind says “Troll, back under your bridge”
DAH
19th June 2025, 2:28
Fernando in the 6th fasted car, Hamilton in the second. You comment makes so much sense.
RomTrain
19th June 2025, 7:16
Second? Dont you forget Merc and McL are also faster than the Ferrari?
David BR (@david-br)
19th June 2025, 11:36
DAH or DUH? Second fastest?!
Edvaldo
18th June 2025, 18:46
As if this was the only time lol
Alonso doesn’t miss a beat to talk down on Vettel and Hamilton pal, and he only doesn’t do it to Max too because Max came around when he was just another guy on the grid, no point in discrediting him, he’s the next generation.
And as i said, it got to the point he had to apologize to Vettel once. He doesn’t have to like the guys, but not acting like a total sore loser would help, as he achieved success and was a great driver on his own right.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th June 2025, 19:19
Alonso has done in it the past, Hamilton has also said some fairly low things on Alonso and Rosberg as well as sharp criticisms of Max, Seb and even Jenson. None of them are saints.
This isn’t a case of Alonso trying to tarnish Lewis’ legacy by calling him out in the press, it’s highlighting a clear racecraft miss. Attributing a narrative to it doesn’t make it a reality – should Alonso only say positive things about Lewis or should he say nothing about a man he’s shared the top of the sport with for every fortnight for 2 decades?
Edvaldo
18th June 2025, 20:14
Dude : again, Vettel said it publicly that he felt Alonso didn’t like him, due to the way he always referred to him, downplaying his achievements, and criticizing his driving even when it was not the subject at hand.
You can bend over backwards as long as you like trying to make a case for your driver, but when they themselves manifest that, then it’s done, there’s nothing you can say about it because this perception it’s in the open already. Alonso is a hothead and said a ton of crap during his long career, there’s no issue in admitting that.
And Hamilton had many backmarkers between him and Leclerc to the point it wouldn’t have made any difference if he was glued to the car ahead or not. So, how is that a “racecraft miss”?
I rest my case.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:42
@Edvaldo – “You probably think he didn’t know about Singapore.”
Basically shows what you know. In court depositions Nelson Piquet Junior, who had no reason to protect Alonso, said he didn’t know and also confirmed the idea was originally his. Pat Symonds also said Alonso didn’t know and he had no reason to protect him either. Obviously it doesn’t matter what Flavio said because he does have reasons to protect him. So, basically your basis for saying that he knew = “I don’t like him” and “of course he knew.”
Furthermore, this idea that Alonso likes to talk down other drivers based on angry radio messages is laughable. We can find endless examples of Seb, Lewis and every driver on the grid saying something critical of another driver in the heat of the moment. If that’s your case evidence, it’s pretty weak and sad.
Edvaldo
19th June 2025, 14:23
@Genghis Blond
Piquet didn’t say anything about Alonso because Alonso was not present in the meeting he had with Briatore and Symonds to stage the crash. That doesn’t mean Alonso wasn’t aware. He didn’t need to be there and he wasn’t. That’s his excuse.
Then again, Alonso was neck-deep involved in the previous year’s Spygate, so why should i believe he wasn’t in the Crashgate as well?
As for what the other driver say in the radio, i don’t remember any of them saying something so obviously sour to the point they had to apologize later, that only happened with Alonso.
But you people can play the victim card as much as you want. People don’t hate Alonso, that’s just the perception he built for himself through his attitudes over the years.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th June 2025, 20:47
But what has Alonso following Hamilton in 2025 got to do with comments Fernando made about Vettel in the past? Why is Alonso stating a pragmatic racecraft issue about likeability?
As I say above, Alonso has said negative things about both Lewis and Seb, but so has Lewis and Seb said negative things about other drivers. Only in Alonso’s case is it brought up by numerous posters as soon as he mentions the word Hamilton.
The racecraft miss is that Verstappen overtook under the SC. It’s plausible he would be issued a 10s penalty for that, depending on how the Russell protest, counter protest went. Hamilton finished 10.5 behind Max and Alonso 10.7 behind Max. Hamilton was 1.5s behind the car Infront, Alonso .25s. Therefore if Hamilton was 0.25s behind the car in front both Alonso and Hamilton would have gained a position if Max was penalised. That is a missed opportunity by not thinking it through, theoretically any one of the front drivers could have been given 10s, so why leave the gap?
Edvaldo
18th June 2025, 21:10
I already added the context. These guys achieved what he wanted to achieve, so, all he has left is to take digs at them and their ability at every opportunity he can. Alonso won 17 races post 2006, Vettel and Hamilton, combined, 157. They left him nothing, mostly because they were smarter than him.
At Spa 2022 for example, in a clear and obvious Hamilton mistake, he went the extra mile and said “this guy can only drive starting first”. Then he quickly apologized. The same guy who said “GP2 engine” about the Honda unit on their home track, so i think you greatly overestimate him if you think all this is him being “pragmatic”. But suit yourself.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
18th June 2025, 22:47
I’m really not sure that’s what’s happening here. Alonso has made a fair point about maximising the opportunity and you’ve chosen to criticise his character. This is a recurring theme with Alonso, where fans feel it necessary to assume the worst and accuse him of malice where there isn’t any. Alonso is thinking about gaining more points, Hamilton is asleep – anything else is shoehorning an agenda.
Are Hamilton and Vettel really smarter than him? Are races won by intellect these days? And if you were able to prove that, why exactly would it matter?
Edvaldo
19th June 2025, 2:28
You probably think he didn’t know about Singapore 2008 either, don’t you?
Or that he really thought Massa had car trouble in Hockenheim 2010, because, not assuming this is assuming the worst for this immaculate man.
And by being smart, well, this has been discussed enough on this forum. Rosberg retired 9 years ago and won his last race 3 years later than Alonso, who’s still competing, won his. Just an example of how mismanaged his career was, due mostly to his own choices, attitudes, and, why not, lack of smarts.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
19th June 2025, 5:37
Edvaldo, this is the exact point I’m making. Alonso merely mentions Hamilton’s name and suddenly 2007, Singapore 08 and Hockenheim 10 are dragged up by his fans for no reason whatsoever. You’ve been at pains to point out what a difficult, unlikable and even stupid character Fernando is on the basis he made a tiny criticism of your hero. This isn’t normal behaviour when discussing any other driver.
Why haven’t you once recognised that Lewis may have made a small, and ultimately inconsequential, error of judgement on Sunday? Is that too much to ask? Has he ever done anything wrong?
As for directly addressing your concerns – Alonso was interviewed by a police interrogator following Singapore who determined that he didn’t know. No charges have been brought against him and 17 years later no one has a shred of evidence to support it. Yet Hamilton fans are delighted to use guilty until proven innocent as it’s Alonso.
In Hockenheim 2010, it was the right decision – as it was at the Russian GP Hamilton was gifted by Bottas. Why are you bringing up a much older race with team orders? Team orders always have happend and this was only notable due to the ridiculous ban of them. Hamilton also contravened that rule passing Heikki in Australia in 2008. Neither driver has a clean slate on team orders.
As for moving teams since 2013, Hamilton hasn’t won a GP for Ferrari either. Alonso then opted to go to McLaren, a privateer with a Honda engine. The next 2 world champions after Mercedes were a privateer with a Honda engine then McLaren. That seems an intelligent route, albeit an unlucky one.
SteveP
19th June 2025, 7:44
@RBAlonso
Ah, now there you distort the situation. Alonso did not “merely mention” his name, he was deliberately insulting him.
If FA is as clever and quick-witted as so many fans say, then he knew exactly what the message conveyed was, just as he did with the “this guy can only drive starting first”
The simple fact is that if any penalties had been given, then the closest driver – Leclerc – would have still been in front of Hamilton even if LH had been glued to Stroll’s gearbox.
He was having another bad day, for whatever reason, and was verbally lashing out, or “having grouch” as I said earlier. A comment suggesting it was down to his mood at the time and not an innate dislike of Lewis.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
19th June 2025, 9:12
He did merely mention it. It was not a pointed personal attack like the Spa 2022 one. You can change any drivers names around and Alonso’s comment still makes sense. If Alonso had said it about Gasly would anyone be bringing up controversies from over 15 years ago? Of course not. If Gasly had said it about Piastri would it generate this level of response? Of course not. It’s only Hamilton fans trying to make Alonso out to be the devil at every opportunity.
That second paragraph doesn’t make sense. If the 10s was applied to Max and Lewis was on Lance’s gearbox all 3 drivers would have gained. That’s just numeracy. They wouldn’t pass Leclerc, but Verstappen would be demoted and they would gain more points, which is surely the exercise.
As I say you’re manufacturing an agenda to make it look as though Alonso was angry in that moment. What evidence is there of that? On the Aston website Alonso says “It was a good race for us today. I felt happy with the car” and literally 10s after he is grouchy he says “it was a good afternoon”. Remember this is Alonso’s best result of the year. Why are you persisting with the view Alonso did this out of anger, nothing supports that.
SteveP
19th June 2025, 9:56
I was working off the 5s they seem to apply these days on these 6-of-1-half-a-dozen-of-the-other instances, but yes, a 10s for Max would knock him back into that part of the train.
However, Lance would have gained nothing – he was a lap down, running last of the finishers. Or were you referencing a gain for Leclerc?
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
19th June 2025, 13:23
Yes sorry Steve the 3 beneficiaries would be Leclerc, Hamilton and Alonso.
David BR (@david-br)
19th June 2025, 11:39
@rbalonso I accept your point that this isn’t likely to be Alonso bitterness, he’d say the same about most drivers, but I don’t agree it was a failure of ‘racecraft’. Hamilton has no obligation to score more points for Alonso. And as @anon says above he may have been playing a team game. In which case Alonso can complain but can’t realistically believe Hamilton was doing anything he wouldn’t do in similar circumstances. He’s too smart for that.
RBAlonso (@rbalonso)
19th June 2025, 13:31
I think if we consider racecraft to be maximising the result though race management, then this satisfies that criteria. The definition I’ve found is:
In motorsport, racecraft refers to a driver’s overall skill and judgment during a race, encompassing strategic decision-making, tactical awareness, and the ability to capitalize on opportunities while managing risks.
To that definition it’s a textbook case. As for Hamilton being under obligation, I don’t think Alonso is suggesting that. I think he’s pointing out that Hamilton, and Ferrari, were asleep to the potential penalties. I understand where anon is coming from but I haven’t seen any Comms around that. Given this is an excerpt from radio Comms it’s not like Alonso has raised it to Hamilton or in the press – it’s a passing comment.
David BR (@david-br)
19th June 2025, 13:50
Maybe Alonso has a point but it seems more a reflection of priorities and mindset. Hamilton’s was likely more concerned with the loss of performance during the race (floor damage probably) and continuing distance from Leclerc and the other leading cars than maximizing his or the team’s (relatively low) point haul through a speculative chance of penalties for other drivers – unless he was alerted to that fact by the team. But there’s no doubt Alonso is always hyperaware while Hamilton can switch off.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:55
“They obliterated his dreams of…” This line alone shows your views on the matter shouldn’t be taken seriously. It shows your personal hatred for the man and your lame attempt to make it sound as if they obliterated him in terms of driving. You sound like a bitter Vettel fan. Maybe you’re angry people are more impressed by what Alonso did in a mediocre Ferrari than what Vettel did in a dominant Red Bull.
Sad stuff from a long time RF user. But, again, not surprising. This is not a good site for anyone who is an Alonso fan or even just appreciates what an F1 great he is. In terms of Alonso, it’s all negativity and hatred here. All of it based on one season 18 years ago or if they’re like Edvlado and haven’t read the actual depositions (which is most fans) and are therefore ignorant to the fact that not one party to the affair says Alonso was involved or even knew (Piquet was trying to save his career as Ghosn had said he was pulling the plug on the team if they didn’t get at least one win in 2008), it’s 2007 + a race from 17 years ago. And, as well as all know, Lewis, Seb, etc. never did anything regrettable over their entire career.
Edvaldo
19th June 2025, 14:12
I don’t hate Alonso. In fact, he’s one of my favourite drivers.
But facts are facts, and i’m saying this as someone who watched every single one of his 400+ races. Do you think he had the career he wanted? Do you think that after dethroning Schumacher he would expect it to end right there? Because that’s what happened.
You could ask 1,000 people back in ’07 if they think Alonso would retire as just a two-time WDC; none of them would say that. But here we are. Vettel won 4, Hamilton 7, Max 4, and there was even time for Kimi, Jenson and Nico to win theirs.
If you think he doesn’t have any sour feelings about how it all unravelled, you’re crazy.
SteveP
20th June 2025, 7:59
Max 3 + a dodgy gift from a disgraced official.
As for FA – let’s see what AN can design for him in 2026. Too little, too late, perhaps.
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:23
The greatest irony is while it’s obvious neither like each other, their feelings don’t run anywhere as deep as the antipathy their fans feel for one another. It seems many Hamilton fans have a depthless pool of bitter hatred for Alonso, which is really strange since the two haven’t had any big conflicts for nearly 20 years, had no major
coming together me and the only incidents have been Lewis t-boning Alonso in Miami and Spa yet they act like they’re somehow nemeses..
SteveP
19th June 2025, 14:52
It’s a good job you’re not a butcher, neither of those Miami 2024, Spa 2022, is a T-bone.
F1Genova (@f1genova)
18th June 2025, 21:15
yes, because LH is in a hurry to help FA
Genghis Blond
19th June 2025, 13:57
Yes, because that’s what Alonso meant…that Hamilton should help him. [eye roll]
Yet another person who didn’t read and/or comprehend the story.