BELGIUM: A former McLaren coach has launched a scathing critique of Fernando Alonso’s conduct throughout his turbulent 2007 season with the staff, accusing him of setting a destructive tone for the yr by failing to be a staff participant.
Gerry Convy, who was a part of McLaren from 2002 to 2008 and labored intently with Alonso, amongst others, expressed his disappointment in a latest Instagram submit that includes a McLaren team-building camp held in Finland.
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Fernando Alonso had joined McLaren because the reigning World Champion in 2007, solely to seek out himself in a fierce rivalry with rookie Lewis Hamilton.
The contentious relationship prolonged not simply between the 2 drivers, but additionally between Fernando Alonso and the McLaren staff itself, culminating within the Spaniard’s departure after a single season to rejoin Renault.
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Within the Instagram submit, Convy shared photos of the team-building camp, which featured Hamilton and quite a few McLaren employees members however conspicuously excluded Alonso. This absence, in line with Convy, “set the tone” for the tumultuous yr forward.
He captioned the submit with a scathing evaluation: “HOW NOT TO BE A TEAM PLAYER: This McLaren-Mercedes Staff Constructing Camp in Finland 2007 was designed to be a brand new begin for us all. Sadly, recruit Fernando Alonso merely didn’t present up. [Lewis Hamilton] did. This set the tone for the season, and the remainder is historical past. Nobody is greater than your staff or organisation.”
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Fernando Alonso’s 2007 stint at McLaren has been marred by accusations of misconduct. Former engineer Marc Priestley alleged that people related to Alonso tried to bribe mechanics to favour Hamilton. Moreover, ex-race engineer Mark Slade indicated that the partnership’s lack of success was not solely Alonso’s fault.
Fernando Alonso himself criticized McLaren’s dealing with of the scenario and the administration’s failure to assist him and Hamilton. He recalled that the staff’s high brass had prioritized his rivalry with Hamilton over the staff’s efficiency. Regardless of the challenges, Alonso mirrored on the expertise as a studying alternative.
In hindsight, the 2007 season stays a poignant chapter in Method 1 historical past, illustrating the complicated dynamics between teammates and the immense pressures inside a aggressive staff atmosphere.
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