Listed below are a few events that taken individually could be shaded any way, depending on your colors. But, if you look at them together a pattern starts to appear.
- Monza 2005, Alonso is given a 10-place grid penalty after Ferrari made a protest against him for blocking Felipe Massa during qualifying. I thought I understood “blocking” until that day. Alonso says of his penalty, “I no longer consider Formula 1 to be a sport.”
- Monaco 2006, after Schumacher parks his Ferrari at Rascasse bring qualifying to an early and unfavorable end for Alonso, Webber, Kimi and Fisichella, Alonso tells Webber that if Schumacher is not penalized for his actions, “I’m going to pull up on the grid, get out of my car and lie in front of his.”(Schumacher is penalized 10 grip positions.)
- Hungary 2007, Hamilton chooses not to follow the agreed upon “equalizing” and carefully choreographed fuel burn-off phase of the third qualifying session which gives him a lighter car and an advantage over his teammate, Alonso. So, when Alonso sees Hamilton stacked up behind him in the pit during their last tire changes the lollipop is lifted, Alonso sits for an extra 10 seconds and Hamilton is left without enough time for another lap. (Alonso is penalized his last lap times and relegated to 6th on the grid.)
I see a pattern, a logical, understandable and justifiable pattern. Alonso wants to win, to win on the track in equal cars with equal treatment. I read recently that
First, Alonso, I must apologize for my “shut up and drive” comment. And, then reiterate my respect for you by repeating my comments of May 17, 2007, from the post Trick and Flaw, “I believe Alonso is as good a racer as Michael and expect that Alonso is a better man. I, also, hope Alonso wouldn’t want to tie the hands of any of his competition, teammate or otherwise, behind their back.”
