F1: Alonso out to play catch-up with Hamilton

Jul 4 2007 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

FERNANDO Alonso is sure that his rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton will succumb to the pressure of leading the Formula One drivers’ championship.

Alonso joined the McLaren team as a two-time world champion from Renault this season, but it is Hamilton who has made the bigger impact and leads the world championship by 14 points after eight races.

Ferrari, who stormed back to form after their recent slump with a one-two finish from Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa at Sunday’s French Grand Prix, are expected to be quick at the British GP this weekend.

“More than Ferrari being strong, I have to focus on Hamilton, who currently leads the world championship,” said Alonso.

“He has a 14-point advantage over me and I will try everything at Silverstone.

“I am convinced that sooner or later the 14-point difference will disappear and to be able to reduce that deficit in his home would be very good for me, it would give me a morale boost.”

However, Alonso is on the back foot after a technical problem in qualifying in France compromised his race and he could not better seventh at the chequered flag.

Hamilton’s eighth consecutive podium ensured the gap between the two in the title race increased and the 22-year-old will be the first British driver to go to Silverstone as leader of the world championship since Damon Hill in his title-winning year of 1996.