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[FRAFPDD]

Sebastian Vettel may be the man most likely to thwart Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a second world championship this season, but as the McLaren driver arrived in the tropical metropolis of Kuala Lumpur it was not the German on his mind but the man he describes as his "nemesis", Fernando Alonso.

"I will always think that my nemesis and my closest rival will always be Fernando," said an unusually reflective Hamilton. "Just because of my history, when I started out. I see him as my Prost, if we were [Alain] Prost and [Aryton] Senna. If you were to say 'choose a driver' [that I would like to be] I would clearly choose Ayrton. And maybe I would put him as Prost."

The rivalry between Senna and Prost, which is brilliantly captured in the new film, Senna, was one of the most bitter in all sport. The difficult relationship between Hamilton and Alonso in 2007, when the Spaniard was unsettled and ultimately driven from McLaren by Hamilton's rookie brilliance, had its moments, too. Hamilton, probably, has never received proper credit for his performances that season, when he missed the championship by a single point.

But is not Vettel his true nemesis now? "I don't think so. If he continues to have a car like he does now then, maybe, but I think when we get equal pace then we will see some serious racing. Maybe he [Vettel] is the new Mansell? Not that I would rate him like I do Mansell." Ouch.



Excerpt from the Guardian online.


Thoughts? im sure we have plenty.

[Gaz]

Hes not Senna simlar perhaps but hes just not, Alonso is nothing Like Prost.

Sounds like hes been asked silly questions and he's been abit to frank with answers.

Funny what he said about vettel tho

[ivey]

LOVE IT!

[FRAFPDD]

I think its great when drivers not just show personality, but that they are like the rest of us, if i was in F1 in hamiltons position id be wondering who i could be compared to in the past etc.

I think everything he said is true hough, i mean, look at the similiarites:


-Senna was win or bust, Hamilton win or bust, as in, both never sit back.
-Prost was a happy points collector, Alonso considered most consistent and tactical driver on todays grid.
- Hamiltons helmet is similiar to Sennas as is Alonsos Ferrari one to Prosts.
- Allonso(Prost) hounded out of Mclaren by Lewis(Senna) who the team seem to favour.
- After their dislike years both seem to have a mutual respect an compliment each other regularaly, like Prost and Senna in 92,93 as oppose to 89,90.
- Senna six years at Mclaren, Hamilton on 5th.
- Prost moved to Ferrari as did Alonso, although not immediately.


Im sure theres more i just cant thin of any.....

[killem2]

Think you all are looking to hard into this.

I'm fairly sure this is a figurative comparison.

[Hexagram]

I want to see Hamilton and Alonso go at it properly again this year. Race each other hard.

Canada last year was shaping up nicely but the backmarkers ruined it. Maybe in Korea we could have had a good battle but Lewis made an error before the fight started at the restart

I noticed them doing an interview together for Santander at Oz, they seem more pally lately.

Best two drivers in F1 imo.

[Hammer278]

Completely agree with Lewis. He's classed himself with Senna since Senna has always been his idol. And Senna's biggest nemesis was Prost, whereas Lewis' is Alonso. Of course it can't be said there's much similarities between the two generations!

I've always seen Alonso as Lewis' biggest threat. For some reason, Vettel is like an annoying fly which is in the way but if Alonso was driving the Redbull I'd be very worried. I can't stand the guy, but he's my new Michael, his driving skills are second to maybe only Lewis. And at times, equal.

I'm sure the Ferrari will be back at the sharp end sooner or later, and I look forward to Lewis owning Alonso on track again, more of Canada 2010 please!

[Jensonb]

He's in Malaysia already?

[f1ea]

LOL
now you see why i 'hate" Hamilton!! he's the nemesis
just kidding.......

this is a nice bit though. He's not saying he's Senna and alonso is Prost, he's just explaining the kind of rivalry they have.... and a nice opportunity to ground Vettel a little.

I've always seen Alonso as Lewis' biggest threat. For some reason, Vettel is like an annoying fly which is in the way but if Alonso was driving the Redbull I'd be very worried. I can't stand the guy, but he's my new Michael, his driving skills are second to maybe only Lewis. And at times, equal.

very funny, and almost accurate

[vaptin]

Mentally, Alonso is probably at the moment a bigger rival to Lewis than Vettel (to Lewis), I mean this, not really directly but more in the way they view each other, what Lewis's emotions are when he thinks of Vettel and when he thinks of Alonso.

[Gaz]

might also be the fact that Alonso (car wise) isn't a threat and Vettle (car wise) is so hes trying to play some mental games with Vettel

[nish2280]

I want to see them sort it out on track.

[FRAFPDD]

Think you all are looking to hard into this.

I'm fairly sure this is a figurative comparison.

Why so sinister, its an interesting article? Theres nothing more to it then something to talk about until the next race.

[ivey]

This year they might have a GREAT chance to have some battles on the track. Melbourne showed that McLaren and Ferrari are pretty equal on race pace.
Like some people said, I also love Lewis but dislike Alonso - although I rank him as high as Lewis, and have tons of respect towards him.

[vlad]

He is just envious!