Toto Wolff says Fernando Alonso is "a hot head" who knows how to stir up a headline, the Mercedes boss reacting to the Spaniard's recent dig at the value of Lewis Hamilton's seven world titles.
Alonso claimed that Max Verstappen's two titles carried more "value" than Hamilton's achievements because the Red Bull driver has faced much tougher competition in his career than the Briton.
Hamilton initially reacted to the Alpine charger's words by posting a picture of himself standing on the top step of a podium in 2007, flanked by Alonso who was his McLaren teammate at the time.
In Mexico recently, the seven-time world champion was asked to elaborate on the post and its connotation.
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"I don’t really have a lot to say about it," Hamilton told the media. "It does make me giggle a little bit, to be honest.
"But I have tried to be really respectful over the years, for example when you’ve ever asked me who’s been the best driver against me, I’ve given praise."
Queried on Alonso's controversial view, Wolff suggested that the Spaniard was a master in generating a good headline but that his words will have left Hamilton unmoved.
"He’s a hothead," Wolff said? Quoted by Spain's AS. "He creates headlines, and this sport is all about headlines. They are both great world champions.
"Alonso is like that but I don’t think he’s upsetting Lewis one millimetre."
In the wake of the reaction generated by his dubious comment, Alonso back-tracked somewhat on his remark with a post on Twitter.
"Please, all the titles are amazing, well deserved and inspiring. Incomparable to each other and let's enjoy champions and legends of our current time," he wrote.
"Tired of the continuous search for headlines. Let's enjoy them."
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