Hamilton admits tension at McLaren

NDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) -- Championship-leading rookie Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday that his stunning success was creating some tension between him and McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.

"I doubt he expected me to do as well as I am but I don't know that's why he's saying what he's saying," Hamilton told a U.S. Grand Prix news conference when asked about a recent suggestion by Alonso that the team favored the Briton.

"He's the two-time world champion but he hasn't been really challenged by someone as close as me and as good a friend off the track, so it is a very difficult situation," added the 22-year-old.

Hamilton won last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, his first Formula One victory, while Alonso finished seventh. The rookie now leads the Spaniard by eight points after six rounds and could stretch that further in Sunday's race at The Brickyard.

Alonso told Spain's Cadena Ser radio this week that he was uneasy with the euphoria surrounding Hamilton at the team and felt the Briton, who has reached the podium in all six of his starts, was receiving more support.

McLaren chief Ron Dennis dismissed any suggestion of favoritism and Hamilton said he believed both drivers were being treated equally by the British-based team.

"I find it strange what he said, because I feel ever since he joined the team, the team has been extremely motivated to push us both towards winning," said Hamilton.

"Ron and the other guys on the team have been working very hard to make sure we have equal opportunity.

"I don't see why he would say that but I guess because he is Spanish and I am English, he might feel that way but I don't agree with it personally."

 

Speed TV interviewed teammates together today live at the track. I didn't catch it all but FH and LH came out separately right after each other with some lame excuse about logistics.

 

lewis has acknowledged that Alonso may have been taken aback by the intensity of the intra-team competition. so much so he calls him lucky!!

 

If Lewis wins again this week in Indy then Alonso will be fit to be tied. Tranquilizers will be the order of the day.

 

I think this is part of the reason he went off track 3-4 times last week. Alonzo doesn't seem to have good control of his emotions, but I don't know him and I could be wrong.

Though, if this "tension" continues, I think Ferrari should have a nice little bar room chat with Hamilton. "Come to the Red side"

 

LH will never drive for Ferrari, would not be the right home for him ... and why go down in car performance (based on current status).

Many great drivers did not drive for Ferrari and were wise not to, ie. Senna. Heck Prost tried and nearly succeeded but had to give up. Yes things have changed but its just one of the top teams not the goal of ALL drivers.

Alonso always has one race per year where the Spanish in him just has to come out ... that is now out of the way . Looking forward to Indy.
Pete

 

we'll see this weekend. this is Alonso's least fav. track, while Hammy never raced here before...just like Montreal

 

Hope Hammi beats Alonso and Massa and Kimi beat both of them. that would be a perfect outcome IMHO.

The more "tension" the better. this isn't tiddlywinks it's auto racing. When I'm on the race track you couldn't get a pin up my @ss with a sledgehammer. Imagine driving an F1 car!

Forza Ferrari.

 

+1

I also predict that any race where Alonso gives up 6 points or more to Hamilton without an on-track excuse (i.e. accident, held up by traffic), he will come out with a whacky allegation like team favoritism, sabotage, voodoo rituals, or something equally ridiculous.

 

Makes sense. I bet Alonso went to McLaren thinking he was going to be fawned over and get all the attention. I love it that when he won last year the attention was on Michael retiring, and this year it's on his rookie partner who appears to be outdriving him. Maybe Alonso should just go home and cry since he can't seem to handle himself when someone better comes around.

 

We'll see. All i know is Alonso has to step it up, which we all know he can do. How Hammy will do under the pressure of a championship fight remains to be seen. It will be a great fight to see. Hopefully Kimi can get into it too. Lewis could very well win at indy but it has historically been a Ferrari track. Alonso never seemed to like the place much.

 

I think Ferrari will have better luck picking up Alonso.

 

John Watson asks Alonso to stop being a crybaby, and grow up

 

Hamilton has been with McLaren for 9 years now. Alonso was McLaren's rival (at least in '05) and is a new guy. Of course the McLaren crew will be really happy to see Lewis, someone they've known as basically a friend for almost a decade, get his first F1 race victory ever...