FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[GRHinPorts]

Reading between the lines it does seem as if Lewis has had a lot of behind the scenes personal stuff going on this year. The fact he now feels able to publicly say this I would take as a good sign. Maybe he will just finish off this year in some style.

[racechick]

Reading between the lines it does seem as if Lewis has had a lot of behind the scenes personal stuff going on this year. The fact he now feels able to publicly say this I would take as a good sign. Maybe he will just finish off this year in some style.

Yes its is good news to hear Lewis positive, professional and seeing a way forward.

[Hammer278]

Get a load of this:

Lewis Hamilton admitted to being "blown away" by a compliment from Fernando Alonso at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Ferrari driver Alonso claimed his McLaren rival was "the one who's able to clinch a championship with a car that's not the best".

Hamilton, who has described 2011 as the worst year of his Formula 1 career, said: "I'm blown away Fernando is so positive towards me despite my season.

"It's nice to know I've got support from some drivers."

Alonso and Hamilton became bitter rivals during a turbulent year as McLaren team-mates in 2007.

That resulted in the Spaniard leaving the team after only one season and, since then, it has been understood that the pair have endured an uneasy relationship.

When Alonso's remark was then put to Hamilton, the 26-year-old Englishman was initially lost for words.

After taking a few seconds to reflect on what he had just heard, Hamilton admitted he was taken aback and returned the compliment to Alonso.

"Despite the relationship we've had, I think our friendship and the respect we have for one another has got a lot stronger," stated the 2008 world champion.

"So it's nice to see that coming out because I've only ever said he is one of the best drivers, if not the best driver here."

He famously beat the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Massa to win the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix in a Renault.

Alonso then produced a stunning drive for Ferrari to overcome Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel at Singapore in 2010, and was in contention for the title until the final race of the year.

This time round he is third in the standings ahead of Hamilton and Red Bull's Mark Webber, both of whom have quicker cars.

But the 30-year-old still believes Hamilton, who has endured a difficult year on and off the track, is the man with the most raw talent.

"Hamilton did not have a super season this year, who knows whether it was due to the Pirelli tyres or the fact that with blown diffusers now driving has changed," he explained.

"On top of that, [Hamilton's team-mate Jenson] Button is having a great year. All of this concurred to give the impression that his season hasn't been so good.

"But let's consider India, when he took second place in qualifying. It's like soccer: if Real Madrid or Barcelona are not performing particularly well on a given season, that does not mean that they're not top league.

"In fact, at the next winter testing he [Hamilton] will be the only one I'll be watching closely. The other guys can win if they've got the best car; he's the one who's able to clinch a championship with a car that's not the best."

___________________________________________

I always said I disliked Alonso intensely....but I never said he's stupid.

We can bicker on and on about who are the best drivers on the grid, but I think 2 drivers in F1 today know who are the 2 most fearsome drivers given the equipment and support.

[bud]

respect.

[racechick]

Yep. I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with Fernando Alonso. He didnt have to say that, he cold have continued the current vogue of piling on the pressure. Nice one Fernando

[andrew]

Alonso seems to be dishing out the compliments of late. Must be Ferrari wanting him to look like a nice guy seeing as they may be looking for a new no. 2.

[LewEngBridewell]

Well I must congratulate Alonso on his good observation and attention to detail.

[bud]

Alonso seems to be dishing out the compliments of late. Must be Ferrari wanting him to look like a nice guy seeing as they may be looking for a new no. 2.

he is complimenting Hamilton yes, but at the same time he is taking a dig at Vettel I think.

[andrew]

Alonso seems to be dishing out the compliments of late. Must be Ferrari wanting him to look like a nice guy seeing as they may be looking for a new no. 2.

he is complimenting Hamilton yes, but at the same time he is taking a dig at Vettel I think.

He complimented Vettel a few weeks ago, he's complimented Maldonado in a report today and he's complimented Massa last week. I'm pretty sure he said some nice words about Schumacher as well. Is Alonso becoming a nice chap instead of the a-hole we all take him for or was the entire internet wrong about him from the start and he's been a nice guy all along? What next? Complimenting Petrov a year on from their ding-dong?

[Hammer278]

Alonso seems to be dishing out the compliments of late. Must be Ferrari wanting him to look like a nice guy seeing as they may be looking for a new no. 2.

he is complimenting Hamilton yes, but at the same time he is taking a dig at Vettel I think.

There's no dig, he just stated facts.

[GRHinPorts]

In spite of everything I have always formed the impression that both Hamilton and Alonso have only the highest respect for one another.

Also I find it remarkable after the turbulence of 2007 that we almost never see them clashing on the track. Consider Prost and Senna post 1989 as by way of comparison. I think this reflects well on both of them.

[LewEngBridewell]

In spite of everything I have always formed the impression that both Hamilton and Alonso have only the highest respect for one another.

Also I find it remarkable after the turbulence of 2007 that we almost never see them clashing on the track. Consider Prost and Senna post 1989 as by way of comparison. I think this reflects well on both of them.

Which is great, because they're both exceptional talents. I hope to see them both as title rivals properly soon, it'll be one titanic battle. I have the highest respect for both drivers.

Alonso's time at McLaren, the racism of some of the Spanish fans and the bitter rivalry that ensued turned me off Alonso a lot, which was compounded by the infamous Singapore case in 2008. I used to really dislike the guy. But now, he seems to have matured incredibly. Maybe it was the difficulties he's experienced in a not-too-brilliant Renault and Ferrari since the McLaren days that've helped this.

But just compare him to Massa. The difference is extreme.

[GRHinPorts]

In spite of everything I have always formed the impression that both Hamilton and Alonso have only the highest respect for one another.

Also I find it remarkable after the turbulence of 2007 that we almost never see them clashing on the track. Consider Prost and Senna post 1989 as by way of comparison. I think this reflects well on both of them.

Which is great, because they're both exceptional talents. I hope to see them both as title rivals properly soon, it'll be one titanic battle. I have the highest respect for both drivers.

Alonso's time at McLaren, the racism of some of the Spanish fans and the bitter rivalry that ensued turned me off Alonso a lot, which was compounded by the infamous Singapore case in 2008. I used to really dislike the guy. But now, he seems to have matured incredibly. Maybe it was the difficulties he's experienced in a not-too-brilliant Renault and Ferrari since the McLaren days that've helped this.

But just compare him to Massa. The difference is extreme.

Ahhh...he's a hard nosed b*stard who wants things his own way, has a ruthless determination and little to no traits of likeability. Saying all of this doesnt mean I dont have the highest respect for him as a great driver either.

And yea.. I totally agree about the comparison with Massa.

[LewEngBridewell]

British National Anthem time!!!!!!!!!

[Hammer278]

HOO-RAAAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's VINTAGE Lewis VS Fernando...THOROUGHLY enjoyable!! My heart was thumping like mad as Alonso came out of the pits the 2nd time!!