Alonso frustrates Hamilton and...in FP1: "No...

Alonso frustrates Hamilton and…in FP1: “No…” read more.

During the first free practice (FP1) for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso caused frustration for Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team. In an effort to gain an advantage by using the slipstream, Hamilton hoped to benefit from following closely behind Alonso. However, the experienced Aston Martin driver thwarted Mercedes’ strategy by staying on the gas for another lap, leaving Hamilton and his team to adjust their approach. This small moment encapsulated the ongoing competitive dynamics between the two drivers, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff summing up the situation with a simple, “No surprise,” over the radio.

In Formula 1, slipstreaming (or using a ‘tow’) is a tactic where one car closely follows another to reduce air resistance, gaining speed down the straights. During practice sessions, teams often use this strategy to fine-tune their cars or try to understand potential advantages for qualifying or the race. In FP1 at Baku, Hamilton intended to slipstream Alonso’s Aston Martin to make the most of the long straights of the Azerbaijan street circuit, aiming to gain some crucial data and performance.

However, Alonso did not slow down as expected. He completed another flying lap instead of backing off after a hot lap, preventing Hamilton from executing his plan. The frustration in the Mercedes camp was evident, as they were counting on this strategy to gather more information ahead of the qualifying session. This small moment of tactical non-cooperation by Alonso sparked light banter on the Mercedes team radio.

The team radio conversations during practice give fans and teams an insight into the thinking and mood of the drivers and engineers. After Alonso decided to push on with another lap, Hamilton could be heard on the team radio expressing his mild frustration.

“Of course, Alonso is on another lap,” said Hamilton, noting the Spanish driver’s continued pace, a sign that Mercedes had expected Alonso to slow down and allow Hamilton to slipstream him.

Hamilton’s race engineer, Peter Bonnington, confirmed the situation by responding: “Yeah, Alonso was fast, double-cool, fast, then kept pushing sector one by the looks of it.”

The conversation was brief, and the tension was lighthearted as both driver and engineer acknowledged Alonso’s decision to keep pushing, which effectively disrupted their plans.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, also chimed in on the radio, offering a simple and dry, “No surprise.” It was a remark that reflected the familiarity between these two legendary drivers and the competitive nature that defines their rivalry.

Hamilton could only reply, “Yep,” acknowledging that Alonso’s actions were well within the competitive spirit, and there was little to be done in that moment.

The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso is one of the longest-standing in Formula 1. Both drivers first became teammates at McLaren in 2007, a season marked by internal conflict and tension. Since then, their paths have diverged, with Hamilton going on to become a seven-time world champion and Alonso earning his reputation as one of the most talented and aggressive drivers on the grid.

Now driving for Aston Martin, Alonso remains a formidable competitor, despite being in the latter stages of his career at 43 years old. His decision to continue pushing through an extra lap during FP1 in Baku was perhaps a small moment in the grand scheme of the weekend, but it reflected the Spaniard’s competitive nature. Even after years of racing, Alonso has never lost his edge and is always looking for ways to stay ahead of his rivals, especially when it comes to someone like Hamilton, with whom he shares a long history.

For Hamilton, who is accustomed to dealing with rivals at the front of the grid, Alonso’s disruption may not have been a major setback, but it did show the kind of gamesmanship that often happens in F1, even during practice sessions.

Toto Wolff’s comment, “No surprise,” encapsulated the situation perfectly. As the head of Mercedes, Wolff is no stranger to these kinds of mind games and tactical maneuvers that occur between the top drivers. His casual response indicated that Alonso’s actions were predictable, given his long-standing rivalry with Hamilton.

This brief exchange in FP1 at Azerbaijan highlighted the ongoing rivalry and mutual respect between the two former world champions. For Mercedes, it was a minor inconvenience in their preparation for the race, but it also served as a reminder of how unpredictable and competitive Formula 1 remains, even in seemingly routine practice sessions.

As the weekend unfolded, moments like these would likely continue, with both Hamilton and Alonso looking for any edge they can get over each other on the track. It’s all part of the high-stakes, competitive atmosphere that makes Formula 1 so thrilling to watch, where even a minor incident in FP1 can set the tone for the rest of the weekend.