Four-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton referred to two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all-time.
Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso announced earlier this month that he will be retiring from Formula 1 once the 2018 season comes to an end following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in late November.
When discussing the matter of the 37-year-old Spaniard’s retirement, four-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton stated that he does not have any personal sadness about Alonso’s decision to retire, but he does consider Alonso one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1.
Here is what Hamilton had to say about the matter, according to Planet F1.
"“Naturally I don’t hold sadness for it. There’s no reason for me to hold sadness for it. For sure, in the racing world he will be missed, and within the racing the world he has been a really big part of it and is one of the greatest drivers that have ever been here. I would say it is a shame that he is not as decorated as his ability deserves, but sport is a very interesting machine and it’s not just about being a great driver.“It is how you manoeuvre, how you play the game, it’s like a chess game and how you position yourself with all the different things that are also part of the package. But he’s been one of the greatest drivers and, for me, arguably the greatest driver I’ve driven against. I wish him all the best moving on.“But 17 seasons is a lot, and I have huge respect for that because it is not easy for a driver to stay that long and perform. It’s a lot of commitment, a lot of time and a lot of dedication that people might not understand and appreciate. But naturally, as within any sport, I can appreciate it.”"
Alonso, whose Formula 1 career will likely last for nine more races, the final nine races of the 21-race 2018 season, has driven in 303 Formula 1 races over his 17-year career in the sport, which began back in the 2001 season.
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In the 2001 season, Alonso drove full-time for Minardi. While he did not drive full-time the following season, he did test drive for Renault, which led to him landing a full-time ride with the team in the 2003 season, the season during which he secured his first career victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Alonso drove for Renault from the 2003 season to the 2006 season. He won his two championships driving for the team in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He recorded a career-high seven victories and a career-high six pole positions in each of those seasons. In the 2005 season, he recorded a career-high 15 podium finishes. He finished on the podium in 14 races throughout the course of the 2006 season.
In the 2007 season, Alonso drove for McLaren before returning to Renault the following year. He continued driving for Renault through the 2009 season before signing a contract with Scuderia Ferrari, where he stayed from the 2010 season through the 2014 season, during which time he added 11 victories to what was a career win total of 21 before the 2010 season began.
Alonso returning to McLaren in the 2015 season, and he has driven for the team ever since. However, with the Woking-based team not being competitive, he has not finished a race in a position higher than fifth place since returning to the team, which is a huge reason why Hamilton believes that he is “not as decorated as his ability deserves”. His frustration as a result of this is also likely a huge reason why he has decided to call it quits once this season comes to an end.
Alonso’s career Formula 1 win total of 32 ranks sixth on the all-time wins list behind only the career win totals of Michael Schumacher, Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. His career Formula 1 podium total of 97 also ranks sixth on the all-time podiums list. It ranks sixth behind only the career podium totals of Schumacher, Hamilton, Vettel, Prost and Kimi Raikkonen.
Do you share Lewis Hamilton’s view that Fernando Alonso is one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history and that he is “not as decorated as his ability deserves”?