F1 News
Date: 18/January/2013
Ferrari’s 2012 F1 title runner-up
Fernando Alonso has rebuffed Red Bull’s claim that he is ‘constantly involved
in politics’.
Earlier this month, Red Bull F1
team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko stated: "Alonso is constantly involved in
politics. Saying things like, 'I'm competing against Hamilton, not Vettel,' and
'I'm up against [Red Bull designer] Newey.”
But Alonso, who lost the World
Championship to Sebastian Vettel by just three points, rejected the claim when
quizzed on the issue during Ferrari’s Wrooom Press event in Italy.
“I don’t think I am good at
politics, I just drive the car,” he said.
The Spaniard then taunted his
critics by adding: “Some recent remarks have surprised me, but I can’t see the
sense in them. Some say they don’t read them, don’t hear them and don’t see
them, before adding that they are not influenced by them: so clearly they do
read them, maybe at night…”
Alonso was also unrepentant in his
claim that Hamilton, and not reigning triple Champion Vettel, is his toughest
rival.
“Why do I say Hamilton is the
strongest? Because it’s what I think, it’s my personal opinion and there is
nothing political in that,” he declared.
“Lewis has always won races ever
since he has been in F1, even in years like 2009, when he had started the
season with a car that was two seconds off the quickest. When you look at what
happens on track, you are well aware of what he is doing, that’s a fact.”
Hamilton, whose relationship with
Alonso has been repaired since an acrimonious season as McLaren team-mates in
2007, is switching to Mercedes for 2013. Alonso backs the Englishman to win
several races.
“Last year, Rosberg won in China,
therefore I expect that this year, Lewis in a Mercedes can win more than one
race.”
Turning to Vettel, Alonso insisted
he has never attempted to play down the young German’s achievements. But in
something of a barbed compliment he said that Vettel was definitely the best
driver in certain ‘periods’.
“I did not say that Vettel was not
the strongest or that he did not deserve his three titles, There have been
periods, like in 2011, when his performance level was fantastic and he was
definitely the best.”
Looking broadly at F1, Alonso
admitted that the relentless race schedule takes its toll and that he’d like to
see the calendar shortened.
The double World Champion, a grand
prix driver since 2001, said: “We had the last grand prix at the end of
November and almost right up to Christmas, there were events I had to take part
in.
“There’s only the end of year
holiday when one can have a break and I’ll try to fit in a few more days
between now and Melbourne to recharge my batteries.
“20 races is a lot and it’s not
easy to maintain a maximum performance level, both physical and mental, for the
whole year. Maybe it would be better to have one or two fewer races and a few
more test sessions.”
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