Alonso calms the heat after the collision with Hamilton: “It’s a racing incident”

Although disappointed by the contact with Lewis Hamilton in the first lap, Fernando Alonso preferred to calm things down avoiding creating any controversy.

Published on 28/08/2022 à 18:15

Gonzalo Forbes

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Alonso calms the heat after the collision with Hamilton: “It’s a racing incident”

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were unable to avoid contact in the first lap. ©DPPI/ F. Gooden

Like the good old times. Fernando Alonso et Lewis Hamilton found themselves on track at Spa-Francorchamps for a battle bringing back good memories to their fans. Alas, the struggle was short-lived. Placed inside at Les Combes, the Spaniard was hit by the Englishman who took off after the contact before giving up immediately.

Passing in front of journalists, Fernando Alonso logically did not escape questions surrounding the incident. While Lewis Hamilton admitted a personal error, the double world champion calmed things down, putting an end to a possible controversy even if he regretted the episode.

« I think there was a small mistake on his part in closing the door like that., said Fernando Alonso. He has already experienced this situation with Rosberg a few years ago (2014) after arriving wheel in wheel like with me.

For me, this is a classic incident from a first round of a Grand Prix. There's always a lot going on in these kinds of moments, especially at this level of the circuit. It's simply a racing incident, no need to say more. I'm still sad because these kinds of events happen all the time when I'm 2e or 3e on the grid. When I'm 12e or 13e, I have clean races. I wanted to have a clean race but unfortunately it started with an incident... "

ALSO READ > Hamilton on his clash with Alonso: “It’s my fault”

A maximized race for Alonso

Luckily, Fernando Alonso was not too impacted by the contact with Lewis Hamilton. Although he lost places, the Bull of Asturias did not let himself be defeated and even hung on to the front of the peloton. At the finish, he scored a nice 5e place, equaling his best performance of the season (Great Britain), and took the opportunity to salute the work ofAlpine.

« We implemented a very aggressive strategy by stopping very early every time, he notes. I don't think it was the best strategy but in the end it made a Top 5. It's a very good weekend. We are 5e and 7e, it’s an excellent result for the whole team. We maximized all our chances."

With this 5e place under the checkerboard, Fernando Alonso continues a 9e rank race in the points going back to 9e championship position ahead Valtteri Bottas, on the mat this Sunday.

ALSO READ > Belgian GP: Verstappen brilliant, Hamilton disappointing… AUTOhebdo notes

Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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