Alonso: Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari can bring ‘extra to fight for championship’

Fernando Alonso believes Lewis Hamilton can give Ferrari an added edge in their pursuit of a first Drivers’ Championship for more than 20 years.

The seven-time world champion’s former McLaren team-mate believes that Hamilton’s arrival can take Ferrari closer to their first drivers’ championship since Michael Schumacher’s success in 2004.

However, Alonso and Hamilton had a tense relationship during their time together at McLaren, and the Spaniard was somewhat sceptical of the Brit’s claims that it had been a “childhood dream” to join Ferrari.

“[During the past few years] Ferrari had a very fast car and were fighting for big things,” he told BBC Sport.

“Maybe Lewis can bring that extra to fight for the championship. The car is there.

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

Hamilton’s move has sparked plenty of conversation across F1, with former Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas expressing his “surprise” at the decision.

“Things happen and I think that it’s good for him because he’s obviously made the decision and it’s a fresh, new start. It’s a big move in F1 which is going to create some movement, as well on the drivers’ market for sure.”

Speaking about his own future, Alonso said he was in a “good position” and appeared to suggest he would be open to finding a new team away from Aston Martin.

“I am aware of my situation, which is unique,” he said.

“There are only three world champions on the grid, and fast world champions, because in the past maybe there were some champions who were maybe not so committed to be fast. And I am probably the only one available for 2025. So I am in a good position.

“But at the same time, when I make the decision whether I want to keep racing in the future, the first and only talk I will have in the beginning will be with Aston Martin. That will be my only priority.

“But if we cannot reach an agreement and I want to commit to race in F1, I know I have a privileged position, I am probably attractive to other teams, the performance they saw last year, the commitment.”

The Spaniard will be entering his 21st season as an F1 driver but the 42-year-old is confident that he can continue racing as long as he remains motivated.

“Maybe I would have said 41 or 42 before,” he said. “Now I can think maybe I can race for a few more years. So I would say if you are motivated and want to commit, you can drive until 48 or 49 or maybe even 50.

“But at the same time, you have to give up everything in life. F1 needs total dedication – I gave my life for this.

“I am happy with that and I can keep going for a few more years but I don’t know if I will be racing until 50 with such a demanding calendar as that – not for the abilities but because there are other things in life I am curious [about].”

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