Formula One news

'Hamilton and Alonso are million dollar babies'

Former Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine can't believe what has happened at McLaren last weekend in Hungary. The Ulsterman has said the disrespect Hamilton showed Ron Dennis was unbelievable and without any respect for his team boss.

Speaking in his exclusive column for Virgin, Eddie Irvine said: "Just when you thought there couldn't be any more twists, turns or controversy in this enthralling Formula 1 championship it's all kicked off again in Hungary. The disrespect Lewis Hamilton showed to Ron Dennis was quite unbelievable in my opinion. It all stemmed from Lewis being told to move aside and let Alonso through in qualifying and taking exception to this team order in no uncertain terms over the car-pits radio.

"Success is starting to go to his head and the way both he and Alonso are behaving is beyond childish - and the way he behaved in Hungary is beyond belief. I have no respect for people who disrespect their team managers and Lewis is rapidly beginning to lose mine. As for Alonso, a two-time world champion should have more brains than he does. To block Lewis like that in qualifying was one of the most stupid things I've ever seen and it reminded me of Michael Schumacher's move on Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997. I can't condone cheating, but if you must do it, there's got to be a subtler way!"

Irvine didn't have any positive words for the McLaren duo. He furthermore said: "If they were to make a sequel of the film 'Million Dollar baby', then Lewis and Fernando would surely be the stars. I'd call it 'Multi-Million Dollar Babies!' Ron Dennis is the man I respect above all others in Formula 1 and he has every right to be furious. Basically he's got to sit Lewis and Fernando in a room together and get this mess sorted out. Personally, I'd take both of them out of their cars for a couple of races to teach them a lesson."

And even though the relationship of Lewis Hamilton with his team might be disrupted at the moment, Irvine doesn't think Hamilton would join Ferrari as some media suggested. "As for the rumours about Ferrari poaching Lewis off McLaren for a big bucks offer, I don't think this will happen. He has a solid five year contract in place and the best car in Formula 1. Although Lewis has shown that he doesn't always have the respect and loyalty he should have for Ron Dennis and McLaren, in my opinion, I don't think he would go."

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