Lewis Hamilton was ‘lucky’ to win 7 championships, claims Fernando Alonso

Lewis Hamilton and Fernado Alonso were teammates in 2007 and had a strained relationship that lasted quite some time.

Lewis Hamilton was ‘lucky’ to win 7 championships, claims Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso nd Lewis Hamilton

The two-time Formula One champion, Fernando Alonso, recently offered his thoughts on his former teammate and adversary, Lewis Hamilton‘s racing career. Alonso praised Hamilton, calling him one of the greatest drivers ever to grace the sport. He did, however, add that Hamilton was fortunate to be driving the dominating vehicle throughout his prime years.

He praised Lewis Hamilton‘s skills, stating, “I still think he is one of the best in history.” However, he also mentioned that Hamilton was lucky to have been driving in the most dominant car of the era for many years. Fernando Alonso pointed out that having the best car is essential to winning championships, and he won two championships during his career when he had the best car.

YouTube video

During Hamilton’s career, he has driven for Mercedes, which has been the most dominant team of the turbo-hybrid era. Hamilton won six of his seven championships between 2014 and 2020, with Nico Rosberg being the only driver to interrupt his streak in 2016. Referring to this, the Spaniard said, “He has been lucky or has known to be in a dominant car for many years,” Alonso stated. “When that happens, Schumacher won 7 titles, Lewis also 7, Verstappen is on his way to third, I won two. To be a champion, you need the best car.”

Discover: James Allison’s return ‘doesn’t change’ Lewis Hamilton’s plans on Mercedes contract extension

FS Video

Fernando Alonso’s return to the front of the grid poses new hurdles to Lewis Hamilton, labouring in an underperforming car

Fernando Alonso overtaking Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain GP
Fernando Alonso overtaking Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain GP (Credits: Reddit)

Despite being winless for nearly 16 months, Hamilton remains one of the most successful drivers in terms of victories and poles, and he is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most championship wins with seven. Hamilton hopes to break that record this season, although he has been hindered by vehicle problems in the previous two years, allowing Red Bull and Max Verstappen to seize the lead. 

Alonso, on the other hand, had to deal with underperforming machinery during the same period and couldn’t challenge Hamilton and Mercedes. But in 2023, driving for Aston Martin, Alonso made a comeback to the front of the grid, referring to this Fernando said, “After all, we have rarely coincided in our careers in the same place. Maybe this year we find ourselves racing together and with similar cars, in this part of the year.” He added, “In Australia, we were within a two-second margin the whole race, and it was a very close fight.”

The two-time champion now leads Hamilton by seven points in the standings and has been on the podium in all three races this season. Alonso’s remarks on Hamilton’s luck are not meant to diminish his achievements as one of the best F1 drivers of all time. They instead serve to emphasise the significance of having the best car in the sport, which Hamilton has enjoyed for many years. 

In case you missed it: