Hamilton and Vettel differ on F1 return for Alonso

40

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel offered different views on the silly season rumor claiming Fernando Alonso is seeking a return to the F1 grid.

Alonso, who remains affiliated with McLaren but whose plans for 2020 are unknown, has denied any interest in returning to F1, but the rumors aren't dying down.

After Sunday's thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix, the Spaniard reacted on Twitter, praising Hamilton and runner-up Max Verstappen for their performance and the entertaining show.

During yesterday's post-race drivers conference, all three drivers were asked if they would like to see the two-time world champion back on the battle-field once again, with Hamilton - Alonso's former McLaren teammate - answering the question first.

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2019 Hungarian GP

"Well, firstly that’s really awesome that he’s supportive…" said the day's winner.

"I was just actually watching some of the restarts, the starts of previous years and watching him from his Renault days and I remember just before I even got to Formula 1 watching how amazing their starts were.

"I don’t know how old Fernando is now but he’s always going to be a great driver.

"If he can get a good seat, he’s always welcome here to battle with us. It doesn’t make a difference, really, necessarily for me. I’m here to fight whoever’s here.

Verstappen regretted that he never had a proper opportunity to go wheel-to-wheel with Alonso before Hamilton suggested the Spaniard "could be a good team-mate for you."

"Fernando? Well, you have experience with it, I don’t know," replied Max, while Vettel noted that "he could be your father!"

"Yeah, it’s close!" shot back the Dutchman. "Yeah, I know. As a young father. How old is he? 36? 38! OK, well 17 is possible to be a father."

Vettel was rather indifferent to Alonso's case, perhaps because he feels the former McLaren driver never really liked him.

"I don’t mind. I don’t know why… I don’t think he ever really liked me," Vettel said.

"I respect him for what he achieved and for what he can do on track. I don’t know. I guess he’s bored if he has time to write these things. So bring him back, I don’t mind."

Hamilton insisted the sport needs "the best drivers in the best seats, and there is still at least a seat available that’s good enough for winning and he’s good enough for winning so it wouldn’t be such a bad…"

As the drivers departed the press room, Vettel had the last word, addressing the prospect of a possible tie-up between Red Bull-Honda and Alonso.

"I don't think the Japanese would be very happy," concluded the German. Ouch!

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.