Formula One news

Hill: Alonso not a team player

Damon Hill said that Fernando Alonso showed his ruthless side by holding up McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the pits during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 1996 world champion said that the Spaniard is not a team member and is only out to better himself.

"It seemed like a tactical ploy from Alonso to make sure that he was the last person to get a lap in, to be out on the track at the very end, and that seemed to be at the cost of Lewis getting his lap in," Hill said in Hungary. "I think you have to say that Alonso's put his foot down and basically got what he wanted. He certainly showed he's not prepared to play a team game if it's at his expense. I think it was a very selfish thing to do. But sometimes selfish guys win."

Hill says that the incident could have been avoided if Alonso wanted.

"He could have gone down the pit lane a bit," said Hill. "He didn't have to sit there in the place where Lewis needed to get to get his tyres.

"It very much looks like he was costing Lewis a chance to get a lap that may well have got pole position. That's what I feel he did."

Hill, who is a guest of ITV this weekend, added that McLaren's mangement and public relations office is unlikely to hide the cracks in the McLaren team's ranks.

He added: "They are going to have to work very hard to try and convince the world that there are not two camps in the McLaren team."

more news

• 08 Sep.
  • Alonso is best driver in F1 - Brawn
• 07 Sep.
  • McLaren to appeal Hamilton penalty
  • Ferrari boss responds to Hamilton penalty
  • Hamilton penalty hands Massa victory
  • Heidfeld gamble pays off for BMW
  • Glock given 25-second penalty
  • Red Bulls upstaged by Toro Rossos
  • Double points-finish moves Toro Rosso up
  • Renault encouraged by Alonso's fourth
  • Force India happy to get both cars to flag
  • Disappointing day for Williams
  • Pointless day drops Honda to ninth
  • Glock makes point for Toyota
  • Hamilton - Kimi pushed me wide
  • Massa happy with second
  • Hamilton and Raikkonen under investigation
  • Hamilton wins thrilling Belgian Grand Prix
  • Photos: Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Heidfeld confident of new BMW deal
  • Dennis hints Hamilton may be light
• 06 Sep.
  • Ferrari plot fight for victory from second
  • Alonso sets Renault up in sixth
  • Heidfeld leads BMW qualifying charge
  • Force India happy with pace
  • Worst qualifying for Toyota
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Dismal day sees both Hondas out in Q1
  • Both Toro Rossos back in top ten
  • Hamilton gushing with confidence on pole
  • Massa's perfect lap not enough
  • Kovalainen lost out in middle sector
  • Hamilton storms to Belgian pole
  • Spa-Francorchamps to rename Stavelot corner
  • Heidfeld tops final practice session
  • Photos: Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Donington Park submit first phase plans
• 05 Sep.
  • McLaren pleased with first day
  • Raikkonen crash hinders Ferrari preparations
  • Renault lifted by Alonso's pace

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