Alonso: Not Sure If Ferrari Drive Was Hamilton’s ‘Childhood Dream’

Fernando Alonso was once Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren teammate; the year was 2007 and the smashing duo were up against another great of F1 racing: Kimi Raikkonen.

But while they were there at McLaren, it didn’t take long for the great Alonso to share, rather regularly, his honest views about Hamilton and on many an occasion, they weren’t the most pleasing thoughts.

While surely, he hasn’t been scathing in his appreciation of the great multiple world champion that is Sir Lewis Hamilton, Alonso has hardly shied away from taking a shy at the great Briton, even if on occasions.

He recently reflected on his honest state of mind with regard to Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari and if it was actually a long-term dream of his former McLaren co-driver.

Speaking to a revered Motorsport publication, the following is how Fernando Alonso reflected about what he was doing when the news surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s forthcoming move to join Ferrari became confirmed:

“I didn’t spend too much time [thinking about it]. I was training actually that day. I missed all the stress from everybody. So, I was just one day late on the news.”

However, having said that, Fernando Alonso did not mince his words once bit when he actually reflected on whether driving for Ferrari was actually Lewis Hamilton’s long-term or as they say, childhood dream or objective. He would say the following:

“It was not his childhood dream 12 months ago, no? Or two months ago, I guess. It was a different dream.”

Having said that, it’s not like that Alonso, a double world champion himself and someone considered among the best of all time to have raced in F1, didn’t wish his former teammate well. He would explain:

“I hope he enjoys the experience. I think it’s a very special team. But it’s more special when you win… It’s few years already [since] they have a very fast car and they were fighting for big things. Maybe Lewis can bring that extra to fight for the championship because the car is there.”

Making no bones about the fact that the 2023 F1 season’s Ferrari, i.e., the SF 23 was a fast paced machine, the following views of Fernando Alonso pointed to some optimism that Lewis Hamilton, still with Mercedes, may want to take with him when he goes to Maranello next season:

“At the end of last year, even with a very dominant Red Bull car, Ferrari [was] still able to match the lap time and to be faster than them in most of the qualifying. So, I think the car should be fast enough.”

Having said that, one notes whether or not driving for Ferrari was Lewis’ childhood dream, to have made a career so dazzling and so very successful, is a feat worth lauding and something to cheer for the ages. And it might be true long after Hamilton steps away from the tantalising but competitive world of F1 racing. What do you reckon, Mr. Samurai of F1?