Fernando Alonso recently spoke very highly of former team-mate and rival Lewis Hamilton, who he admitted “motivates all of us” in the way he continues to push despite having claimed seven titles.
Hamilton and Alonso were team-mates at McLaren in 2007, in what was Hamilton’s rookie season.
From the get-go, the duo had a heated relationship, mostly caused by the fact they duelled for the championship that season.
Alonso ended up leaving McLaren after just one season, leaving Hamilton to go on and claim the 2008 Drivers’ Championship.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Their rivalry has always been present on the racetrack but away from it, mutual respect is visible.
Both drivers have been around for an incredible amount of time and have experienced the highs and the lows of Formula 1, although Alonso does note that Hamilton hasn’t endured too many “periods” where he’s not had a competitive package.
2022 and 2023 are really Hamilton’s worst campaigns in terms of the package he’s had to deal with, as proven by the fact his last victory remains as the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Mercedes aren’t the dominant side they once were, something which has seen many question what keeps Hamilton motivated.
His hunger to get the Silver Arrows back to the front and to win an unprecedented eighth crown is what fuels his motivation, to the point that he recently agreed to stay with Mercedes until at least the end of 2025.
Hamilton wants that elusive eighth Drivers’ Championship more than anything, with Alonso recognising that he’s “never giving up”.
Even now in a weak package, the 38-year-old is trying to fight Sergio Perez for second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Whilst Mercedes’ current car is bad, it’s by no means a midfield package.
If Hamilton were to be fighting in the midfield on a regular basis then Alonso isn’t sure if the 103-time race winner would be able to remain so motivated; however, the Aston Martin driver points out that Hamilton’s energy and determination is a motivator for the entire grid.
“It’s difficult to say,” Alonso told GQ, when asked if Hamilton would’ve given up if in a midfield team.
READ: Would Lewis Hamilton accept an offer from Red Bull?
“We have different personalities and motivations. Lewis always did really well to stay focused and competitive in the periods of his life when he didn’t have a competitive package.
“Those periods weren’t many, but he was always performing to a high level. Now he’s not having the best car, Red Bull is dominating, but he’s still fighting always. He’s chasing Perez in P2 and he’s never giving up.
“It motivates all of us to see how Lewis keeps the motivation after winning so many titles.”