Formula One: Alonso channelizes fury into positive strength over Hamilton’s violation of the safety vehicle rule at GP Valencia
With the advantage of a home base and a significantly enhanced car, Fernando Alonso had justifiably high expectations from the recent European Grand Prix in Valencia. Yet matters did not quite proceed in the smoothest fashion, and Alonso was left annoyed and resentful with an eighth-place finish at the conclusion of a drama-filled saga at the Valencia street circuit. The groundwork for controversy began to unravel soon after Mark Webber’s Red Bull acquired the wings to take it to the air in spectacular fashion after bumping into the rear of Heikki Kovalainen’s Lotus. The mishap prompted the emergence of a security vehicle onto the winding Valencia curves, unleashing the Pandora’s Box that would reignite Alonso’s long standing feud with former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Alonso remarked: “I was very angry about everything that happened, but now that anger has been transformed into positive energy driving a desire to fight back.” The Spaniard elaborated that he had already put the unfortunate European episode behind him and was fully concentrated on the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Ferrari forward alleged the Valencia run had been “manipulated” and that Lewis Hamilton deserved to be blamed for his disregard of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) safety car rules.
Matters seemed to be proceeding cheerfully for the Ferrari protagonist, until a safety car took to the tracks following Webber’s horrific mishap midway through Lap Nine. The Ferrari front-man was running third behind McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, after picking up pace from fourth on the grid. Alonso was attempting to catch up with the McLaren man, when the medical vehicle for Webber appeared out of the pit lane and Hamilton pushed ahead to make it to his pit stop.
On the other hand, the Spaniard’s journey to the pit lane was a less hurried affair. When Alonso finally did egress from his tyre alteration, he had plummeted to the tenth, while the other Ferrari man, Felipe Massa emerged an unspectacular 17th. Although Hamilton subsequently paid the price for violating the safety vehicle rule, the Englishman was nevertheless able to maintain his second spot standing.
Alonso made no secret of his displeasure with the race stewards and long time rival Hamilton, when he bemoaned that the security vehicle could not have appeared at a more inopportune moment for both Ferrari men. Yet the Spaniard managed to find his cool after a rational analysis of the situation and resolved to redouble his efforts for the British event which stands just around the corner. The Spaniard stated that although the blow at Valencia had been wholly unexpected, the loss was by no means irreversible. The Ferrari forward is optimistic about his chances for the British Grand Prix, and believes his 29 disadvantage from championship leader Lewis Hamilton, is by no means an unbridgeable gap. Alonso further stressed the title bid was still wide open, for the season had barely progressed beyond the mid-season mark and that McLaren led by only slightly over a win. The Spaniard stated that although the blow at Valencia had been wholly unexpected, the loss was by no means irreversible.
Alonso was keen to emphasize that the improvements incorporated into his Ferrari F10, for the Valencia showdown had borne fruit and helped the Italian giants move a step closer to the title leaders. Alonso admitted that his impassioned rant in the aftermath of the Valencia drama had been misconstrued by the media, as usually happens in such scenarios. The Spaniard went on to clarify that his remarks in the post-race press conference had not been directed towards any particular rival. He asserted that there was a need for collective, rationally-driven deliberation over matter, for those contenders who had stuck to the guidelines. They had unluckily ended up braving a bigger blow, than those who had overlooked the rules, regardless of the post-race reprieve. Meanwhile, Hamilton has since countered that Alonso’s tirade had been instigated by the Spaniard’s bitter disappointment over “sour grapes”.
Tags: