Alonso doesn't make excuses: He had 'anti-Fernando car' against Hamilton

Fernando Alonso claims he had “anti-Fernando” car when partnered with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren in 2007.

Fernando Alonso stated he had "anti-Fernando" car in 2007 against Lewis Hamilton. Photo: RacePictures

Fernando Alonso has reflected on one of the most challenging cars of his Formula 1 career, claiming the McLaren MP4-22 he drove alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2007 was an “anti-Alonso” machine.

Speaking in an interview with AS, the double World Champion admitted there were cars that never suited his driving style, but stressed that adapting is part of a racing driver’s job.

“Sure, there probably were [cars that didn't suit his style], but that’s an excuse that doesn’t help at all. You have to adapt, because cars change and the rules change,” Alonso said.

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Looking back on the fierce season-long battle with Hamilton for the Drivers’ Championship, Alonso explained that the switch to Bridgestone tyres in 2007 proved particularly difficult for him.

“For example, right after winning my second World Championship, in 2007 I had a car that was ‘anti-Fernando.’

"The tyres were Bridgestones, the same ones used in GP2 back then, so all the drivers coming up from GP2 suddenly had very strong performance, like my teammate, Hamilton.”

Alonso compared those challenges to the modern-day debate surrounding Pirelli tyre preparation laps, insisting that similar struggles have always existed in F1.

“Now there’s a lot of talk about Pirelli tyre preparation laps, but even back then there was a completely different way of warming them up, and it was something totally unknown. I suffered through it for a few years, but that’s just how it is,” the Spaniard concluded.

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