Alonso apologized to Hamilton, after his statements on the accident at the Belgian GP: because the anger was born 15 years ago

Beyond the triumph of Max Verstappenwho establishes himself as the leader of the Formula One World Championship with nine wins out of fourteen races, a salient note of the Belgian Grand Prix they gave it Fernando Alonso Y Lewis Hamilton gives a touch in the first round.

“He hit me. What an idiot! He locked me up. We got off to a great start, but this guy can only drive when he’s the first.” Alonso told his team at the time of the incident that it felt like more than just an insult, but rather a low blow.

hamilton He acknowledged his mistake, claiming that “he was in my blind spot and I didn’t give him enough space” and calling the incident “unfortunate and unintentional”. However, after hearing the words of the Spaniard, he refused to apologize.

Their personal dispute dates back to 2007, when they split a team at McLaren and, after a season marked by internal conflicts between them, lost the title, which ended up in the hands of Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari). They separated immediately.

Alonso, who returned to Renault after that confrontation almost 15 years ago, apologized for his remarks in Belgium last weekend: “Lewis is a champion and a legend of our time. I don’t think he can only run when he’s ahead. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean what I said. ”

Nonetheless, the Alpine F1 Team driver apologized saying that “these are things that are said warmly”. He then he added: “When you talk on the radio, you talk to your engineer and your team. Too bad that everything goes on air because we say things with warmth, while now, calmer, you speak differently “plot.

To make his thinking even clearer, he drew a soccer metaphor: “You don’t know what a player says when he kicks him in the ankle,” he said, implying that F1 should work the same way.

F1, at Verstappen’s house

“It will be great to have my family by my side to support me. I will enjoy the weekend with all the fans.” were the words of Max Verstappen in the preview of Dutch Grand Prixa race that will be very special for him.

The Zandvoort circuit, whose name marked the history of the top category of motorsport with thirty races between 1952 and 1985, returned to the F1 calendar last year and is the stage where the local driver will try to defend his first place. in the general classification.

This Friday the first free practice sessions will begin on Dutch soil, many drivers are already there for testing. Among them, Alonso and Hamilton, who took a photo published by the Mercedes team’s Twitter account. “Look who has passed”says the tweet. Problems seem to be left behind.

Days and times for the Dutch GP

• Friday
  • 7: 30-8: 30: free practice 1.
  • 11-12: free trials 2.
• Saturday
  • 7 to 8: Free Trials 3.
  • From 10:00 to 11:00: qualifying session.
• Sunday, 10 am: start of the Grand Prix (72 laps of the 4,259 km circuit or two hours of racing).

Top-10 before the Dutch GP

• 1st Max Verstappen (NED) 284 points
  
• 2nd Sergio Pérez (MEX) 191 pt.
• 3rd Charles Leclerc (MON) 186 pt.
• 4th Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 171 points.
• 5th George Russell (GBR) 170 pt.
• 6th Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 146 points.
  
• 7th Lando Norris (GBR) 76 pt.
• 8th Esteban Ocon (FRA) 64 pt.
• 9th Fernando Alonso (ESP) 51 points.
  
• 10 ° Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 46 pt.