Alonso “uncomfortable” at McLaren
June 13th 2007 02:06
Alonso not 'totally comfortable"
"Well, right from the start I've never felt totally comfortable,” Alonso told Spanish radio station Cardeno Ser.
The Spaniard attributed his discomfort to the disproportionate attention that his rookie teammate, Lewis Hamilton, has been receiving.
"I have a British team-mate in a British team, and he's doing a great job and we know that all the support and help is going to him and I understood that from the beginning,” he said.
However, despite trailing the rookie by eight points in the championship - an unexpected result after six races - the reigning champ remains positive.
"I'm not complaining,” he said, “I've won two races out of six and I've finished on the podium four times and I have those 40 points that will allow me to fight for the title in the end."
"I'm calm, I'm fine, but I know there's a certain impatience to return to the top and dominate,” he said.
Alonso then also took an opportunity to have a swipe at the British media, claiming: “The Spanish press has more respect than the British press."
He commented that Hamilton’s success has been somewhat overblown by the British press, who had ignored certain other elements of his win in Canada, but then stated that it was not off-putting to him.
“I'm totally indifferent to that,” he said, “Those are the same journalists and newspapers that, if the safety car had come out on lap 23 instead of lap 24 when Hamilton didn't have enough fuel for another lap, would not have been able to say anything.”
Despite the clear impact and sensation his rookie teammate has caused, Alonso maintained that he is interested only in his own goal – to win the championship for a third time running.
"At the moment I am where I expected to be and with a clear chance of winning the title in Brazil, and not now, in the sixth race," said the Monaco victor.
"I'm second in the Championship and I have a car capable of winning races, he told Spanish newpaper AS.
"There are still 11 races left and I feel very much the favourite for the championship."
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Alonso has too much class and experience, but without some of the good fortune which has gone Hamilton's way this season.
All things equal, Alonso will be head and shoulders above Hamilton come the end of season.
Charles.