LE CASTELLET, France – Before his 300th race, Lewis Hamilton called his former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso the toughest opponent of his career.
At the French Grand Prix on Sunday, Hamilton will join five other drivers in reaching that milestone in their careers, including Alonso on 344 races and record holder Kimi Raikkonen with 349.
Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 as Alonso’s teammate and both drivers won the title, the title taken by Raikkonen driving for Ferrari.
Alonso was at odds with McLaren over what he saw as preferential treatment given to Hamilton and left the team at the end of the season.
When asked who is the toughest opponent he has faced in his career so far, Hamilton, who was present at the press conference with Alonso, named his former McLaren teammate.
“I think it’s very difficult to say who is necessarily my strongest competitor, because every time you’re with someone, you’re in a different place in your life,” he said.
“But I miss the task of being by Fernando’s side when I was 22, you know, I was very young mentally and of course – in terms of skills it’s good – but going up against someone as great as him is. a lot of pressure.
“So I would speak at pure pace, I think I would say it’s Fernando, and his ability. We had some good fights, I wish we could have had more. Hopefully he’ll keep racing, and hopefully we’ll have more in the Future.”
Alonso responded to the compliment, saying Hamilton is a “legend of our sport” when asked how the Mercedes driver has changed since his debut in 2007.
“Honestly, I don’t think he’s changed much,” said Alonso. “He had talent in 2007 and he is still talented now, with experience. He has been a great racer and a legend of our sport.
“So it’s always been my pleasure to share all the time with him and back then, probably, nobody thought that someone would be able to win seven titles like Michael [Schumacher did]. But yes, the journey has been amazing and the team they have built at Mercedes over the years has been outstanding.
Congratulations on the 300th and hopefully one more win soon. “
All five drivers who have reached the 300 lap milestone – Jenson Button, Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, Alonso and Raikkonen – have failed to win a race since that point in their careers.
But Hamilton, who is yet to win a race this season, says that statistic is not a concern for him.
“It doesn’t discourage me because I’m working to get that win,” he said. “I believe we will at some stage be able to compete with these guys. Whether it’s this weekend or in race five.”
