“They didn’t put out the last radio message, when I said thank you to Felipe
and thank you to the team, and that it was perfect in the end.”
In an official statement later released by Ferrari, Alonso added: “The word
‘genius’ refers to the fact that we could have got out before [Nico] Rosberg
had gone by on his quick lap, but this should not raise any doubts about the
impeccable job from the whole team.”
Ferrari were particularly anxious to sweep this little contretemps under the
carpet, since Alonso’s relationship with the team has been such a ripe
source of speculation this summer.
The two-time world champion openly criticised the team in Hungary, earning
himself a very public rebuke from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, and
also allowed himself to be linked with a move to Red Bull.
Di Montezemolo made light of their tiff in the paddock last night, describing
Alonso as “a very important member of the Ferrari family” and adding that as
the father of the family it was his job to give him a clip around the ear
every so often.
He even called over to Alonso as the Spaniard walked past at one point, joking
that he had heard he was moving to Marussia next year.
It was a nice moment but they will not be laughing if things go badly on race
day and Vettel widens the gap still further.
At least he has a chance of catching the Red Bulls from fifth on the grid. Hamilton,
who sits 58 points behind Vettel in the standings, has virtually no chance
from 12th on the grid.
And there was nothing lost in translation with regard to his comments
afterwards.
“It was generally a really poor qualifying session,” Hamilton said, his voice
cracking with emotion.
“I didn’t put one single lap together in Q2. I just drove like an idiot. That
is the worst I have driven for a long, long time. I am sorry for the team.”
Although Hamilton was held up by Force India’s Adrian Sutil on his final
flying lap, an impediment which earned the German a three-place grid
penalty, the Briton declined the opportunity to criticise his former friend,
who used to be one of his closest friends until the German got involved in a
fight in a Chinese nightclub and Hamilton declined to stand by him.
Such was Hamilton’s anger with himself that former driver David Coulthard, in
his BBC commentary, was moved to question why he feels the need to beat
himself up so badly in the wake of these incidents.
His performance was, after all, a complete anomaly in a season which has seen
Hamilton qualify magnificently, taking pole at each of the last four races.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that his fading title hopes will be almost
completely ended with a poor result at Monza, certainly if Vettel goes on to
win the race.
Hamilton must hope that he can pick his way through the pack and perhaps make
a different tyre strategy work to his advantage as Sergio Perez did last
year when he finished second in a Sauber having started 13th.
The Swiss team, who have had a woeful season to date and whose future is in
peril due to lack of funding, had something to smile about again as
Hulkenberg produced a magnificent lap to take third on the grid.
“I don’t know where it came from,” admitted the German, who is hoping for a
move to Ferrari.
He could not have chosen a better time to state his case, although if he
really wants the drive he might deem it prudent to move out of Alonso’s way
in the race.