This is how Hamilton surprised Fernando Alonso in 2007

Fernando Alonso and Hamilton coincided on the same team, in McLaren, on 2007. That season the British debuted in Formula 1 with results that surprised the Spanish pilot himself. This has been recognized Norbert Haug, McLaren coordinator that year.

Questioned in Hello TV because of the difference between Alonso, Hamilton and the rest, the German stated: “They are distinguished by belief in themselves, is what these guys have. Fernando couldn’t imagine a rookie going as fast as a two-time world champion.. But with Lewis, that was the case at the time. “

“If a driver doubts himself even a little, then there are immediate opportunities for others. But top drivers like Hamilton and Verstappen have this absolute confidence, this ‘nobody beats me’ thought, ”added Norbert Haug.

Hamilton not only surprised Fernando Alonso

It should be noted that Lewis Hamilton, that Sochi won its hundredth Grand Prix, not only surprised Fernando Alonso, also to the world of Formula 1. “Ten years ago, no one would have imagined that Michael Schumacher’s record would be broken”Admitted Norbert Haug.

Asked about his record of victories, the German highlighted: “He has achieved them in 281 races, one in three on averageEven having the best car is absolutely remarkable ”.

Alonso and the arrival “like a tsunami” of Hamilton

Norbert Haug has taken the opportunity to admit that he realized the talent and character of the English driver at the first change. This is something that Fernando Alonso did not like, who recently said about the course in which he coincided with Hamilton as a teammate: “2007 was a very important season for me”. “Lewis came to Formula 1 like a tsunami with all his talent, skills and results, immediate results, that was intense and also a challenge for everyone”, Recognized the Asturian.

Regarding the tension between him and Hamilton, Fernando Alonso declared: “I don’t want to blame Ron Dennis, team principal in 2007, I don’t want to blame a particular name. But we were too young, too ambitious and no one guided us”.

Already in a previous interview, the Spaniard had said about what happened in 2007: “Nothing happened with Hamilton. It was more with the team, with which we had our differences. He believed some things that the team gave him and stopped giving. I believed some things that the team gave me and stopped giving me. And we did not understand each other. But there was always respect between us. Even on the track. We went out on Sundays to run thinking what we thought, inside, of the team. But we always respected each other on the track. AND we always try to fight hard but with respect”.

Hamilton did not know how to manage his relationship with Alonso

Too Lewis Hamilton, who days ago claimed that Valtteri Bottas had been his best teammate, commented on 2007: “When I was just a child I met Alonso, he was enthusiastic and talented, but I did not know how to manage everything. Then I found myself in different positions with Kovalainen, Jenson Button and Nico. I learned different things from each one of them ”.

The impossible coexistence between Alonso and Hamilton

For his part, Norbert Haug spoke in July about the impossible coexistence between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton that 2007. That season, the internal battle that took place at McLaren ended up giving victory against prognosis to Kimi Raikkonen in the World Cup, he surpassed both by just one point.

“We could have accomplished more for sure. I mean, pwe could have done it easily without the Hungary episode in qualifying. I mean, we had several reasons why we lost the championship with both drivers and we were punished without the constructors’ title. And both drivers did not achieve the title by one point “, admitted Norbert Haug in the official podcast of Formula 1, Beyond the grid.

The German then referred to the controversial qualifying session for the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso, who was the pilot who got pole, took long enough to leave Hamilton could not complete his last lap. The Briton denounced his own teammate and Alonso was sanctioned with five spots.

“Of course we were criticized a lot in Hungary, I was in the middle of the press conference after the session trying to explain what was happening, trying to explain something that has no explanation“Added the one who was coordinator of the team McLaren.

Ron Dennis also had to deal with this situation, also referred to by Norbert Haug: “We exchanged very often. Sometimes Ron would attend the media and sometimes I would. ANDIt was my turn in Hungary. I looked like an idiot, of course. How could I explain things like that? It was clearly not our best qualifying, but it was a remarkable moment indeed. ” “If I wrote about it, it could be turned into a Hollywood movie, forget it, no one would believe it!”, He affirmed.

“Today I no longer suffer, but I suffered a lot then; you should normally beat your rivals, not yourself, but beating yourself is a lesson I learned too: That hurts a thousand times as much as if you get into your own trajectory, but you can’t help it sometimes ”, concluded Norbert Haug.