During Friday’s second practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Fernando Alonso sarcastically described Lewis Hamilton as “the hero of the day.” The Aston Martin driver’s remark came after a contentious moment involving the Ferrari driver, signaling a brewing rivalry for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Alonso also hinted at future payback, implying the long championship offers plenty of opportunities for settling scores.
Current Session Results Show Aston Martin’s Progress and Hamilton’s Struggles
Fernando Alonso demonstrated strong pace by finishing seventh in FP2, continuing Aston Martin’s effort to rebound from a challenging start to the season. Conversely, Lewis Hamilton faced difficulties, lapping almost three-tenths slower than his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton’s 11th-place finish in FP2 placed him behind drivers such as Pierre Gasly from Alpine and Racing Bulls’ rookies Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
On-Track Tensions: Hamilton Receives a Tow From Stroll, Provoking Alonso’s Frustration
During the early phase of the session, Hamilton was observed being towed down the main straight by Lance Stroll, Alonso’s teammate at Aston Martin, while Alonso followed close behind the Ferrari on track. This maneuver did not sit well with Alonso, who expressed his displeasure openly on team radio.
Alonso stated,
“We have the hero of the day in front of us.”
His race engineer Andrew Vizard responded,
“Yeah. That was clever, wasn’t it? That’s good.”
Anticipating future confrontation, Alonso added,
“Yeah. The good thing is that the weekend is very long. Even the championship is very long.”
Alonso’s Reputation for Intense Rivalries and Retaliatory Moves
Hamilton is not the first to experience Alonso’s fiery competitive nature. Last year at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Alonso locked horns with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson during the sprint race. Alonso took offense to Lawson’s aggressive defense, leading to a heated exchange after the race. Hours later in qualifying, Alonso passed Lawson in the queue before starting his flying lap, violating an informal understanding between drivers.
Lawson later confirmed Alonso had threatened retaliation, telling media,
“He said he would screw me and I guess he kept his word.”
Implications for the F1 2025 Season and Championship Battles Ahead
This confrontational dynamic between Alonso and Hamilton underlines the intensity expected throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. Both drivers, well-known for their determination and tactical mindsets, appear ready to increase the stakes as the championship progresses. With the season still long and filled with crucial moments, Alonso’s promise of revenge adds an intriguing subplot to the ongoing battle at the top of the field.
