Alonso had to admit it !McLaren's
Fernando Alonso had to admit on Sunday that rookie teammate and joint championship leader Lewis Hamilton is now a genuine contender for the 2007 crown.
"Anyone who is driving a good car is a contender," the Spaniard said in Bahrain
after finishing just fifth in the third race of the championship.
History-making Hamilton, 22, was second, as commentators surmised that the British rookie had simply outperformed his famous teammate.
"The best cars this year are the McLarens and the Ferraris," 25-year-old Alonso told Spanish reporters, "so Massa, Raikkonen and Hamilton will be fighting for the podium places all season."
The reigning world champion was visibly disappointed as he abandoned his silver car in parc ferme, but he confirmed that he had taken the time to congratulate Hamilton for making history as the most successful-ever formula one rookie.
Alonso also refused to accuse McLaren of failing to perfect his car setup or messing up his strategy for the race.
"Any strategy is good if you are fast," he said, "and any strategy is bad if you are not fast. This time I was not fast enough."
Source GMM © CAPSIS International
