Motor Racing: 'hamilton Home Win' - Alonso
Formula One: Fernando Alonso conceded that McLaren would prefer team-mate Leiws Hamilton to win at Silverstone.
The brittle working relationship between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton took a novel twist last night when Spain's 2006 world champion accepted that the McLaren team would prefer the rookie from Stevenage to win his home British grand prix on Sunday.
"I think that, yes, they will prefer that and I don't think there will be any argument," he said. "We will be in England and we have a Spanish driver and an English driver and the Englishman is leading the championship. So if he wins it will help the team. The team wanted me to win in Barcelona and they will want Hamilton to win at Silverstone. I hope things will get back to being how they were in Barcelona."
Alonso stressed, however, that he will not be slow to make the most of any slip-up by Hamilton.
"At Silverstone anything can happen," added Alonso, who has finished behind the 22-year-old in five of the last six grands prix. "It will be a difficult weekend. Maybe it will be raining and I hope I can reduce the advantage. Some day the gearbox problems I had in France or the safety car or something else will affect him and I hope to cut the gap by six or eight points in one race. I had to make up 10 points before France and now I have to make up 14."
"I think that, yes, they will prefer that and I don't think there will be any argument," he said. "We will be in England and we have a Spanish driver and an English driver and the Englishman is leading the championship. So if he wins it will help the team. The team wanted me to win in Barcelona and they will want Hamilton to win at Silverstone. I hope things will get back to being how they were in Barcelona."
Alonso stressed, however, that he will not be slow to make the most of any slip-up by Hamilton.
"At Silverstone anything can happen," added Alonso, who has finished behind the 22-year-old in five of the last six grands prix. "It will be a difficult weekend. Maybe it will be raining and I hope I can reduce the advantage. Some day the gearbox problems I had in France or the safety car or something else will affect him and I hope to cut the gap by six or eight points in one race. I had to make up 10 points before France and now I have to make up 14."
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