My Story: Hamilton on Al0nso

[blue8]

The breakdown of the relationship between McLaren's drivers in 2007 was a gradual process, Lewis Hamilton reveals in his upcoming biography, My Story. In an extract published by The Sun newspaper, the 22-year-old rookie said Fernando Alonso introduced himself to Hamilton and his father in a hotel in Turkey late last year. "He came by and said: 'Hello, I'm Fernando'," Hamilton, then a GP2 driver, said. "He was the world champion, he was fighting to win the title for a second time. It really surprised me he had the time to say hello. I was quite impressed with that." But the Briton speculates that Alonso, months later, took exception to being pushed so hard at McLaren by a rookie. "I like and admire Fernando, so I was sad and disappointed that, for whatever reason, our relationship did not improve," he added. "But it was not for lack of trying." Hamilton said Alonso also failed to 'build any bond' with his colleagues, beginning with failing to turn up for a pre-season team training week. "I thought Fernando would be the one trying to set me an example and show me what to do, not the other way around," he continued. He said team boss Ron Dennis encouraged Hamilton to try 'extra hard' to make the Spaniard feel welcome. "Fernando is very quiet," Hamilton said, revealing that he tried building their relationship by playing computer games in Alonso's motor home room. But by the US Grand Prix in June, Alonso had started to voice his suspicion that Dennis was favouring Hamilton. And Hamilton added: "After the French Grand Prix someone told me Fernando, who finished seventh, said he was happy the Ferraris had beaten me so I did not take maximum points." Their relationship then fully imploded in Hungary, when Hamilton refused a team instruction and Alonso famously got revenge by holding up his team-mate in a qualifying pit stop. "It was like my worst nightmare," Hamilton said, insisting that he 'did not want to fall out with Fernando' as Alonso stopped talking to him. "I think I am easy to get on with," he argued. "I do not hold grudges but I felt that if he did not want to speak or to have a decent working relationship, that was up to him." n Turkey they met for peace talks, but Hamilton says he eventually tired of feeling like his efforts to improve their relationship were not being matched by Alonso. "In the end, I told Ron: 'I tried to speak to him, but I am not going to go out of my way and defocus myself to make him happy. I'm going to focus on my dream'." "Then, at Spa-Francorchamps, Fernando ran me wide and off the circuit. From then on it was clear anything could happen. If he wanted to be as aggressive, so could I," Hamilton said. He added: "It was not healthy, but I felt I could be strong and aggressive without taking any unnecessary risks. It was a real pity that things had come to this." Hamilton's book, published by HarperSport, will be released on Monday November 5th.

Lewis Hamilton has revealed how he disobeyed team orders at Monaco and how his relationship with Fernando Alonso worsened through the season. The McLaren driver claims that his team-mate was not expecting to face stiff competition from a rookie. In excerpts from his forthcoming book published in the Sun, Hamilton said: "Coming into the McLaren team as a two-time World Champion, he [Alonso] had not really been challenged too closely before." "I do not believe Fernando expected a rookie to challenge him so strongly, let alone beat him, but it was just racing." "I like and admire Fernando, so I was sad and disappointed that, for whatever reason, our relationship did not improve," said Hamilton. "But it was not for lack of trying." The watershed moment for the dynamics within the team came at the Monaco Grand Prix when second-placed Hamilton chased down the Spaniard despite instructions from the team to back off. "In the race I felt he was pulling away and I wanted to keep pushing," Hamilton said. "'Back off five seconds for Fernando,' the team said. 'I want to win this race. It's not over till I see a flag,' I replied. 'No, keep the gap to five seconds,' they said. But I said: 'I'm not here to finish second'." The Brit admits that he was surprised to learn at that Alonso was aware of information related to the spying scandal. "I heard after that Ron and Fernando had argued - during which Fernando stated he had emails in his possession that he claimed would incriminate the team. Like everyone else I was just amazed. It was extraordinary it happened on the morning of a race."

A biography this early in his career?

[bmagni]

bah, he just wants to sell books and blames it all in his "talent" and Alstronzo... like if the team and him had nothing to do with it...

[dutchmasterflex]

He's definitely had one hell of a life so far. From karting at such a young age, working with Ron Dennis and having a good shot at the F1 championship at 22 is definitely something to write about. For sure he has much left in his career, but what he has done so far is something very few accomplish.

Most father's like his dump their life savings into their kids sports with nothing in return.

Originally Posted by blue8 A biography this early in his career?

I seriously loathe this stupid trend. It's present mostly in England because people who are fans of certain football teams usually buy the biographies of the players, regardless of the age.
I don't have anything against Hamilton, quite the contrary actually, but what has he achieved so far in his life? He's come in 2nd in his 1st season of F1... big whoop
I know it all comes down to the money in the end, but it's pathetic IMO to get an autobiography out at his age, he should write one after he retires and focus at the job at hand for the time being.

[acmarttin]

"He came by and said: 'Hello, I'm dancing queen'," Hamilton, then a GP2 driver, said.

I'm sure Hamo's book will be better than T.O.'s

[Mattk]

Yeah, I agree that it's a bit too early for him to write about his life. He hasn't had much of one yet.

[gangajas]

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas Nothing that we didn't know already... F1's Lance Bass is an ass, and he's the one to blame in the McLaren disastrous season this year. I know Denis could have control his driver one way or another, but it's clear that when they don't put nothing from their part is really hard to deal with the situation. As for Hamilton already having a biography at his early age... and career - I guess it's a trend in the UK to write biographies for almost everyone who is relatively famous. Instead of this, I would really like to read the "unauthorized" biographies... they're much much funnier

Is Alonso the only one to blame? Yeah, sure. :roll:

I wonder if Dennis let LH have the WDC trophy at his own home or if he received a F1 LM as a gift for his WDC.

These two got what they deserved