Fernando Alonso downplays Lewis Hamilton’s role in Mercedes’ rise: “He didn’t build anything”

Fernando Alonso has downplayed the idea that F1 drivers are capable of “building teams” amid Lewis Hamilton and now Max Verstappen’s periods of dominance.
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy,
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian…

Over the last decade, F1 🤪has endured two periods of dominance with Mercedes and Red Bull.

The first, started by Mercedes in 2014, who nailed the new engine regul🍨ation💝s with their outstanding power unit.

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Their fast start led to seven consecutive drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ championships - the m꧒ost 🅺dominant period in the sport’s history.

Similarly with Red Bಌull,𝓡 the introduction of the new regulations in 2022 has seen them dominate F1 with Verstappen.

The point about “building🎃 teams” has often been one aimed at Alonso as a criticism given his reputation of falling out with key personnel before making a team switch.

However, Alonso believes drivers playing integral roles in teams going ꦰfrom 💦a less competitive position to a dominant one - like Mercedes and Red Bull - is a complete myth.

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy, Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian Grand Prix,…

“I thin🐲k this is something that is always said about drivers ‘building’ teams,” he told The Telegraph. 

“But when Lewis went to🍌 Mercedes, 🍒he didn’t ‘build’ anything. It was just a change in regulations that built everything for him.

“And when Max joined Toro Rosso and Red Bu🐠ll it was still Hamilton winning everythi🍰ng.

“He d𓄧idn’t ‘build’ a winning Red Bull team. In 2021 it was very close between them, and now with the change in regulations last year, Red B🦹ull win every race so far this season.

“So I don’t know exactly what we mean when we say yoꦦu can ‘build’ teams around you because I think this is a sport where, you know, technical decisions, technical regulations, in⛎spiration from the design office or wind tunnel or something like that normally makes more difference than your input, your feedback, your personality, or your way of driving.”

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