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Despite Lewis Hamilton & Co’s Enjoying “Downforce” Supremacy, Aston Martin’s “Sweet Spot” Hailed to Turn the Tables

Published Aug 30, 2023 | 12:00 PM EDT

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In Formula 1, there are only a few rivalries that last more than a decade, let alone 16 years. So when Fernando Alonso started the 2023 season in his much improved Aston Martin, he revived his old sedentary rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. The only McLaren teammates just after one season together formed a relationship that still leaves a sour taste. This is why pitting the two against each other is always an enjoyable scenario and we can’t get enough of it. This is also why whenever even F1 experts get an opportunity, they compare the two. In the latest comparison, F1 veteran Peter Windsor pitted the two based on their car’s capabilities after the eventful Dutch GP.

The Dutch GP was a win for team Alonso as the Spaniard stood atop the podium for the first time since the Canadian GP. On the other hand, for team LH it was a nightmare. Mercedes not only ruined Hamilton’s qualifying, but despite a respectful P6, the team made poor calls during the race as well.

via Imago

Now this was a one-off scenario in the last 10 races as currently, the W14 is a superior car compared to the AMR23. However, according to Windsor in his latest YouTube video, the tables can turn thanks to Aston Martin’s “sweet spot”.

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Windsor said, “I think the Aston Martin, right now, probably doesn’t have as much efficient downforce as the Mercedes, when the Mercedes is right. But it (Aston Martin) has a much bigger sweet spot around which the drivers and the engineers can work. That’s what we saw at yesterday Zandvoort.”

Now, Alonso might be back to getting better of Hamilton on track on a regular basis. However, until he does, the Spaniard keeps taking jibes at the Brit showcasing his lingering ill feelings toward him. Many experts including Windsor have noticed this trend.

Peter Windsor reveals the hidden intention behind the verbal rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso

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Alonso and Hamilton are known for locking horns from time to time. If not on track, the Spanish bull pokes at the Brit with his snide comments and brutal statements. The reason? Well, according to Windsor, among others, it has to do with Alonso still stuck at two championships compared to Hamilton’s seven.

via Imago

He said, “In the back of Fernando’s mind still, is a little bit of angst with Lewis and it’s just his way of possibly saying a little bit of ‘Max is much better than Lewis’ without actually saying that. That’s the sort of thing Fernando would do or say. It’s more that than anything else.”

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The two kiss and make up as well from time to time but the tension never fully dissipates. For the drama in F1, we would never want it to as well.

WATCH THIS STORY | “We Crush Them”: Fernando Alonso Warns Lewis Hamilton & Mercedes Signalling Aston Martin Comeback

Written by:

Mahim Suhalka

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Mahim Suhalka is a senior F1 Author at EssentiallySports. Having written over 1000 articles, Mahim specializes in core sports coverage. Having followed the sport for a long time, his articles contain excellent analysis of the sport and he dives deeper into the technicalities of this complex sport.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar