Fernando Alonso is the man to beat this season, says Lewis Hamilton

**varun** · 16th April 2013, 00:30

Fernando Alonso is the man to beat this season, says Lewis Hamilton
• 'The best driver has got the quickest car at the moment'
• Hamilton says he 'feels like a championship conte

Fernando Alonso is the man to beat in this year's Formula One world championship and not the title holder and current leader, Sebastian Vettel, according to Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton kept alive his own chances of another championship during Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix by finishing third, his second podium finish in as many races. After three rounds he stands fourth on 40 points, 12 behind Vettel.

But he said on Monday: "I think Ferrari are the quickest. They showed in China [where Alonso won] they are the quickest overall. The best driver has got the quickest car at the moment, so that is going to be tough to beat. Fernando didn't have the quickest car last year, but he did a solid job by scoring points all the time."

There is very little between the four leading teams: Red Bull (78 points), Ferrari (73), Lotus (60) and Mercedes (52), with McLaren and Force India both on 14, fighting it out for fifth spot at this stage.

Hamilton has not ruled out his own chances of adding to his 2008 title. "I definitely feel like a championship contender at the moment, but I'm not focusing on that because you never know," he said. "Look at Nico [Rosberg's] car, which didn't finish. That could happen to me at any stage.

"But I have a different outlook this season. I came into the year with everyone saying it was the worst decision [leaving McLaren for Mercedes] I could possibly ever make in my life. I didn't know what the car was going to be like, but we are getting these results. We are hanging on by the skin of our teeth, but we are doing the job.

"We have got a lot of work to do to improve reliability and to pick up the pace. But we are on it and doing the best job we can. I think pole flattered us a bit in China. The car is quick over a single lap, but we just need to pick up the race pace."

Hamilton admitted he was hanging on for third place at the end as Vettel closed in on him. "I got some backmarkers which was a bit unfortunate. I thought: 'Just my luck!' I was very happy that I was able to keep it together until the finish line. I thought it was going to be very close, one more lap and he would have had me for sure. Fortunately he didn't."

Looking forward to Sunday's race in Bahrain, he added: "It will be very hot. Fernando will be very quick, and the Red Bulls and the Lotus. To finish as high as we have will be tough, but we'll give it our best shot.

"Bahrain, hopefully, will be a better weekend for us. China is a very front limited circuit and it is all about looking after the front tyres. Next weekend is all about the rear tyres and whether or not we can look after them."

**Massimo** · 16th April 2013, 10:57

For all those people who were wondering what would happen if Ferrari gave Alonso a competitive car, now you know...

**SinanOzerS** · 16th April 2013, 11:39

Originally Posted by Massimo

For all those people who were wondering what would happen if Ferrari gave Alonso a competitive car, now you know...

+∞

**Stormsearcher** · 16th April 2013, 11:44

Feet on the ground people.

its a long season.

**FerrariF60** · 16th April 2013, 12:05

Originally Posted by Stormsearcher

Feet on the ground people.

its a long season.

i know we should have our feet on the ground, but compared to the car we had last year this time, IT' S A DAMN GOOD ONE...

let's hope we keep up the good work and make it even stronger in quali, while having the same good pace while racing on Sunday

forza Ferrari, Fernando, Felipe!!!!

**Kristof_F40** · 16th April 2013, 12:25

Originally Posted by FerrariF60

i know we should have our feet on the ground, but compared to the car we had last year this time, IT' S A DAMN GOOD ONE...

let's hope we keep up the good work and make it even stronger in quali, while having the same good pace while racing on Sunday

forza Ferrari, Fernando, Felipe!!!!

Indeed, but I don't think we should compare a lot with last year.. Indeed, we can say we have done a better job in terms of making a good car. But last year was a special season, with the first races very unpredictable, now we see more of an order.. The thing was, last year, Fernando was very constant, the others not, so after 4 races with a "bad" car, we were just 10 points behind. Now we have a better car which should give us the possibility to do better, but the others wil do better as wel, so... If we would have had this car last year, we would have won, but it's not last year so.. We already have a retirement, we need to score some good results next few races..

**NickEice** · 16th April 2013, 18:18

Originally Posted by Massimo

For all those people who were wondering what would happen if Ferrari gave Alonso a competitive car, now you know...

How close would he be to Senna's win total if we had this car the last 3 years? And what would Finger Boy's statistics look like? If only we could go back in time... Lol

**paneristi** · 16th April 2013, 18:33

is Rory Byrne the secret ingredient?

**Tifoso** · 16th April 2013, 18:44

There was one point toward the end (with around 10ish laps to go) when Alonso passed a backmarker and just rocketed off into the distance.

I like our chances.

**mike38mike** · 16th April 2013, 18:53

Fernando will do the job, as usual ;)

**scuderiafan** · 16th April 2013, 19:01

Nice of Lewis. But need to stay calm. no arrogance. RBR can come from nowhere a la 2012 and destroy everyone 4 races in a row.

**Meiga** · 16th April 2013, 19:05

You should see the uproar that these words by Hamilton have caused in the PF1 forum...

**Alonsomaniac** · 16th April 2013, 20:13

What is going on with Lewis? Ever since he left Macca he seems to turn into a rather nice and relaxed guy , even standing with both feet on the ground.
If he keeps up with this attitude the day may come we are actually going to like him...

**Greig** · 16th April 2013, 20:16

Originally Posted by Alonsomaniac

What is going on with Lewis? Ever since he left Macca he seems to turn into a rather nice and relaxed guy , even standing with both feet on the ground.
If he keeps up with this attitude the day may come we are actually going to like him...

Seems he is doing some growing up, his columns for the BBC are pretty decent as well

**zakfourie** · 16th April 2013, 20:52

Early days to call the best car...

**Nero Horse** · 16th April 2013, 22:23

Originally Posted by NickEice

How close would he be to Senna's win total if we had this car the last 3 years? And what would Finger Boy's statistics look like? If only we could go back in time... Lol

Then you could also ask how far would he be from Senna's win total if he had been driving Caterham or Marussia this whole time instead of Ferrari? There's no point in wondering "what if this or that...", history has been written and that's the way it is.

**Infi24r** · 17th April 2013, 09:27

Now lets capitalize before the Asian leg of the championship, where Red Bull typically come on strong.

I have nervous optimism. Its a real shame about Malaysia because we could have seen Alonso pull a commanding lead within the next few races. Now at Bahrain the best we can hope for is for him to take a narrow lead.

Bahrain is all about low speed grip, something I get the feeling Mercedes may be strong at this weekend and has typically been a fairly strong Red Bull track. We may have to wait until Spain.

**Stormsearcher** · 17th April 2013, 10:38

Originally Posted by Alonsomaniac

What is going on with Lewis? Ever since he left Macca he seems to turn into a rather nice and relaxed guy , even standing with both feet on the ground.
If he keeps up with this attitude the day may come we are actually going to like him...

agreed. I always thought he was a brilliant driver, but an arrogant spoilt brat. But he does seem to be growing up. Which is nice.

**scuderiafan** · 17th April 2013, 10:48

Been growing up all of 2012. Maybe since he decided to leave McLaren?

A bit partial to Lew now. If no Ferrari driver wins, it is him or Hulk imo.

**Greig** · 19th April 2013, 11:17

Name one driver currently racing in F1 that inspires you in some way?

"Fernando, really. He feels to me like he's the most complete driver here. And with pure speed, he is rapid. He is such a quick driver but he's also very, very smart in how he does it. I really admire him for that.

"Fernando is always there. He has been the most consistent driver apart from Sebastian, who has also done an awesome job but he's been in the most dominant car.

"Before I got into F1, Fernando was the driver I most admired. Having driven alongside him and then been in the sport and seen him progress, it remains the same.

"Back in 2007, we were both immature and misbehaved. We took a long time to recover from that. Fernando probably said a lot of things through anger, as I did, and that got twisted and turned in the media which impacted on the fans. So there are people who don't like me and people who don't like him.

"He will go down as a legend. He will win more world championships. And to be in an era when there's a legend and to have him say such positive things about me, is a really cool feeling."

**Katu** · 19th April 2013, 11:46

Lewis has said that all?! I am amazed, to be honest

**Nero Horse** · 19th April 2013, 14:57

Originally Posted by Greig

Name one driver currently racing in F1 that inspires you in some way?

"Fernando, really. He feels to me like he's the most complete driver here. And with pure speed, he is rapid. He is such a quick driver but he's also very, very smart in how he does it. I really admire him for that.

"Fernando is always there. He has been the most consistent driver apart from Sebastian, who has also done an awesome job but he's been in the most dominant car.

"Before I got into F1, Fernando was the driver I most admired. Having driven alongside him and then been in the sport and seen him progress, it remains the same.

"Back in 2007, we were both immature and misbehaved. We took a long time to recover from that. Fernando probably said a lot of things through anger, as I did, and that got twisted and turned in the media which impacted on the fans. So there are people who don't like me and people who don't like him.

"He will go down as a legend. He will win more world championships. And to be in an era when there's a legend and to have him say such positive things about me, is a really cool feeling."

I had no idea that Ham can be this normal and nice. Looks like leaving Macca had a really positive impact on his personality and way of thinking. Kudos to him for saying such nice things about his arch-rival.

**Hermann** · 19th April 2013, 15:10