Of Alonso's laughter and Hamilton's hunger

Even the approach to the Autodromo José Carlos Pace is somehow different. “It's not the normal approach to a normal track, but past the favela,” said Nico Hülkenberg, describing this special feature at the race track in Interlagos in the southwest of São Paulo. “You just notice the magic that a lot of stories have been written here and championships have been decided.”

For Fernando Alonso, however, it is nostalgic. At the Brazilian Grand Prix he has to think about his glorious past. In 2005 and 2006, the Spaniard became the youngest driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship in São Paulo. That was long ago. Years of career missteps later, Alonso is still a two-time world champion. Not more.

Fernando Alonso is contesting his final Formula 1 season. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

“When I was a boy, I never thought about driving a Formula 1 car or even winning a race. That’s why the two titles already exceed my dreams,” said Alonso in Brazil. “I think I could have won three or four more titles. But I think it is more important that I have earned the respect of the Formula 1 community.”

With this respect, Alonso will also say goodbye to Formula 1 at the end of this year. Exactly which racing series his departure will take him to is still unknown. “I try to enjoy every second, even the time with the media,” said the 37-year-old with a laugh. Is it important for him to finish seventh in the drivers' standings, i.e. the best of the left-behind field behind his rivals from Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull? “No, not really,” said Alonso and had to laugh again. “I would prefer to be world champion and not seventh.” “I still have a mission” Sebastian Vettel still has a mission. © APA/afp / MAURO PIMENTEL

Sebastian Vettel has two world titles ahead of the Asturian. He finally wants to celebrate world championship number five with Ferrari. But things didn't work out for the Heppenheimer in his fourth season with Scuderia either. Michael Schumacher, Vettel's role model, finally achieved it in his Ferrari year five. “I still have a mission here and want to win,” Vettel made clear. The renewed defeat against Lewis Hamilton will probably still hurt during the winter break. “But giving up is not an option,” assured Vettel.

Hamilton doesn't see an end to his own greed for the title either. In 2019 he will be the second oldest driver in the field behind Kimi Räikkönen, at 34 years old. Young pilots are pushing forward. Vettel also knows this only too well, after all, Charles Leclerc, who is only 21 years old, will be his new teammate and replaces the 39-year-old Räikkönen.

“I recognize a bit of myself in them,” said Hamilton about the next generation of Formula 1. The Brit was once a beginner himself, back in 2007, and back then he won the title almost straight away. He said he still had the hunger for success from his Sturm und Drang period. In addition, there is also the experience, it is a strong pairing. You can't contradict him.

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Of Alonso's laughter and Hamilton's hunger

Nico Hülkenberg raves about the Autódromo José Carlos Pace. Fernando Alonso is enjoying his Formula 1 farewell tour. Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton are far from seeing their title wear. Impressions from Interlagos.

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