Alonso not totally comfortable at McLaren
World champion Fernando Alonso has revealed he has not been feeling totally comfortable at the McLaren team since he joined the British squad earlier this year
The Spaniard switched from Renault to McLaren for this season, and he was joined by Briton Lewis Hamilton, who has enjoyed a sensational start to his rookie Formula One season.
Hamilton's success has somewhat overshadowed two-time champion Alonso, especially in the British media, where his teammate has been hailed as the new sensation, more so following his maiden victory in Canada last weekend.
Alonso says he has never felt 100 per cent comfortable at McLaren, but he admits he expected such a situation when Hamilton was confirmed as his teammate.
"Well, right from the start I've never felt totally comfortable," Alonso told his country's Cadena Ser in a radio interview on Monday night.
"I have a British teammate in a British team, and he's doing a great job and we know that all the support and help is going to him and I understood that from the beginning.
"But I'm not complaining. I've won two races out of six and I've finished on the podium four times and I have those 40 points that will allow me to fight for the title in the end," added the Spaniard, who was read the headlines of the major British newspapers during the radio show.
"I'm totally indifferent to that," he said, referring the British media hailing Hamilton. "Those are the same journalists and newspapers that, if the safety car had come out on lap 23 instead of lap 24 when Hamilton didn't have enough fuel for another lap, would not have been able to say anything.
"The Spanish press has more respect than the British one."
The Spaniard is eight points behind Hamilton after the first six races of the season, but the double world champion says he is staying calm.
"I'm calm, I'm fine, but I know there's a certain impatience to return to the top and dominate," Alonso added. "But I'm second in the championship, I'm eight points behind. I would be worse if I were at Renault, or Honda or any other team.
"At the moment I am where I expected to be and with a clear chance of winning the title in Brazil, and not now, in the sixth race."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Martin: Marquez can fight for MotoGP victories from start of season
2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver
The story of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix
Alonso: Stroll more sensitive to Aston F1 car handling issues I drive around
Aston Martin ‘not convinced’ Alonso would definitely want to stay in F1
Suzuka sensation redeemed Alonso, but his F1 future is complicated
Why Norris' China F1 sprint pole lap was deleted and reinstated
2024 F1 Chinese GP sprint qualifying results: Norris takes pole
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
Lauda's 1976 German GP helmet to be auctioned at F1 Miami GP
Ocon wants set-up changes after China F1 sprint as "performance left on the side"
MotoGP schedule: When is the next MotoGP race and where will it be held?
Honda MotoGP boss "confused" by "good improvements" not working
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments