Alonso: Constructors’ title less important
Fernando Alonso says winning the constructors’ world championship for McLaren is a much less important objective for him than securing a third drivers’ crown.
McLaren’s perfect 1-2 result at Monza has consolidated the team’s advantage in the constructors’ standings – pending the outcome of Thursday’s FIA World Council hearing – while Alonso trimmed team-mate Hamilton’s lead to just three points with his fourth win of the season.
Asked whether the victory was particularly gratifying given the huge pressure the team is facing over the spying saga, the Spaniard answered that it was special for him to win at Monza for the first time.
And he admitted that winning the constructors’ title meant little to him, especially if “around the team there are problems”.
“We are extremely lucky to be in this position to have such a fast car and it means a lot to become world champion, but, at least for me, it is not special if around the team there are problems,” he said.
“For me, it doesn’t matter because in the end it is good to be the drivers’ world champion and the constructors’ [championship], from a driver’s point of view, it is not really a big factor.”
By contrast, Hamilton said the adversity McLaren is facing has only served to increase his determination to win both titles.
“With all the things that have gone on, for sure, it would have been a much better year to have had no problems, but that’s the way it is,” he said.
“It would be great to win the constructors’ championship and the drivers’ championship, just to show that even still with all those problems and issues nothing can bring us down and we are unstoppable and that is a great point.”
And before the weekend Hamilton spoke of how he would relish beating Ferrari at its home race because of what he regards as the Italian team’s slurs on McLaren’s reputation.
“Beating Ferrari on their home ground has got to be a huge blow to their whole team,” he said.
“For me it would be a great feeling to do that because of what they are putting our team through.
“I know my team, I know the people here and I think we are being unfairly treated.
“We’ll do our talking on the track.”
Alonso’s comments could easily be interpreted as a further sign of his estrangement from McLaren – and that he is unlikely to see out his three-year contract with the team.
But the double world champion insists he is simply giving an honest account of his priorities, which have been the same throughout his Formula 1 career.
“Of course, I have won two drivers’ titles and two constructors’ championships, so I know how the people enjoy winning the constructors’ championship,” he said.
“But I have said all my life that for me as a driver I put 10 points, from zero to 10, to win the drivers’ world championship and to win the constructors’ championship is eight points.
“It is not the same to me.
“I enjoy every point that we do on the track, for us, for the team, and we are leading quite comfortably the constructors’ championship and if everything goes on like this we will achieve that and I will be happy for the team.
“But I still prefer to win the drivers’ [championship].”
Source: itv-f1/
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