Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Spanish driver Fernando Alonso is “a hot-head” who only says things to stay in the news.
Wolff’s comments come as a reaction to Alonso’s recent dig aimed at Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and the “value” of his seven world championships.
41-year-old Alonso said that Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s two world championships hold more value than the achievements of Hamilton over the course of his 15-year career in the sport.
He built his case citing greater competition for Verstappen compared to Hamilton, who he said always enjoyed a car far superior to anyone else on the grid.
In response to Alonso, Hamilton had posted a picture of himself standing at the top of the podium with Alonso below him at a time when they were teammates in 2007.
Hamilton was asked to elaborate on this post during a media interaction in Mexico recently.
“I don’t really have a lot to say about it,” Hamilton said.
“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.”
Wolff ridicules ‘hothead’ Alonso
When Wolff was asked about Alonso’s recent comments, he said that it is something everyone expects from the Spanish driver and it would not have bothered Hamilton in the least.
“He’s a hothead,” Wolff said.
“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.”
With such a strong response coming from Hamilton and Wolff, Alonso appeared to somewhat backtrack from his original statement in his most recent 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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