Lewis Hamilton vs Fernando Alonso - Timeline of a rivalry

Hamilton v Alonso

Michael Schumacher's Grand Prix return is the big F1 story of 2010, but Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari and the resumption of his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton is a stunning support act. Fernando and Lewis created a bitter enmity in 2007 whilst teammates at McLaren and are now in direct competition for the championship once again.

Ferrari and McLaren have their own sour rivalry that dates back forty years so Alonso's arrival at the Scuderia promises to deliver fireworks. There has not been such a strong personal conflict in Formula One since Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost squared up in the early nineties, and it could be about to enter a new chapter.

Here then is a look at the history of the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

2007 Preseason

Before the 2007 season began McLaren organised a meet-the-driver day to introduce Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton to all of the factory staff. Alonso apparently became rather disconcerted when most of the staff's questions were directed at Lewis. This would later reinforce Fernando's perception that the British team was biased toward the hometown driver.

2007 Australian Grand Prix

In his first ever Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton overtook Alonso around the outside of the first corner. The move squeezed Alonso who later retook the position thanks to a more preferable fuel strategy.

2007 Monaco Grand Prix

Alonso claimed victory at Monaco ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but the young Brit was publicly upset with the result and felt the team had deliberately stopped him from winning by making him pit earlier than required. Lewis grumpily told reporters that "it is something I have to live with. I've number two on my car and I am the number two driver.� The FIA investigated the possibility that McLaren had instigated illegal team orders but later cleared them of any wrong doing.

2007 Canadian Grand Prix

Hamilton took his first pole position in Montreal and emerged as a genuine championship contender. Alonso, feeling the pressure from his rookie teammate, ran off the road at the first corner whilst trying a desperate manoeuvre to overtake Hamilton.

2007 United States Grand Prix

Both McLaren drivers were on top of their game at Indianapolis and engaged in a close fight for the race lead. Hamilton firmly defended his position against Alonso whilst heading towards turn one, leaving Fernando to swerve at the McLaren pitwall a lap later in disgust.

2007 Hungarian Grand Prix

During qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso parked his McLaren in the team's pit garage whilst Hamilton was trying to make a stop for tyres. Lewis was left waiting in the pitlane until Alonso moved, and the subsequent delay prevented him from completing his final qualifying lap. McLaren and Alonso claimed the hold up resulted from a delayed radio conversation, but the FIA did not agree and punished them both. Hamilton didn't emerge unscathed from the incident either having conducted a fiery exchange with Ron Dennis over the radio.

2007 Belgian Grand Prix

Both McLaren drivers arrived at the first corner of the Grand Prix side by side. Alonso had the inside line but swung wide from the apex and pushed Lewis off the circuit. Hamilton used the tarmac run off area to his advantage but Alonso had made his point and held the position.

2007 Chinese Grand Prix

Alonso became so enraged with the speed of Lewis Hamilton's last minute qualifying lap that he broke a door in McLaren's motorhome during a tantrum. By now Fernando was convinced the team were tampering with his efforts to win the championship.

2007 Brazilian Grand Prix

In the tense 2007 World Championship finale, Lewis Hamilton ran off the road on the first lap whilst trying to overtake Alonso. Fernando was never going to make it easy.

2008 Off Season

Lewis Hamilton had little nice to say about Fernando once it was confirmed the Spaniard was leaving McLaren. He told the press that "He showed me just how not to behave as an F1 driver�. Not long after Lewis made his comments, Alonso responded by telling reporters that Hamilton's attitude was the reason Spanish fans mocked him during testing at Barcelona. Fernando said "If you talk like that, it's no wonder they jeer you.�

2008 Bahrain Grand Prix

During his recovery form a bad start, Hamilton ran into the back of Alonso when he failed to react quickly enough to Fernando's defensive driving. McLaren's mechanics initially suggested that Alonso might have been 'brake testing' Lewis but this was later disproven.

2008 Italian Grand Prix

Hamilton passed Alonso for seventh place on the main straight at Monza and aggressively cut in front of the Renault to complete the manoeuvre, perhaps unnecessarily.

2008 Chinese Grand Prix

Alonso told reporters he would like to see Felipe Massa beat Lewis Hamilton to the world title, and that he would do whatever he could to help.

2009 British Grand Prix

Whilst racing near the back of the field, Alonso pushed Hamilton onto the grass at 250kph coming onto the Hangar Straight. The two drivers fought against each other all afternoon for 14th position.

Who knows what lies in store for 2010?

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