A tension has crept into F1 drivers' relationships, as they look ahead to a fiery meeting at the Barcelona circuit on Friday. Fernando Alonso had given the first hints about the tension when he hit out at Nico Rosberg's aggressive tactics in Bahrain three weeks ago.
And earlier this week, the Spaniard insisted there is not enough "respect" between the drivers when they are jostling for position at grands prix. "Fernando made it pretty clear," world champion Sebastian Vettel told reporters on Thursday. "He said 'you have to leave the space -- all the time you have to leave the space!'"
Rosberg said he is happy if discussions about his driving take place this weekend, but also in the firing line is Lewis Hamilton, who passed the Mercedes driver on the asphalt run-off in Bahrain. "I was surprised Lewis was allowed to keep his position," said Mark Webber. "I'm sure we'll talk about it in the drivers' briefing."
McLaren's Hamilton insisted he did nothing wrong, but he added: "I'm not really bothered. It's good to have clarity. Mark is probably one of the most if not the most outspoken individuals here (in F1), so that is the least I expect from him."
Also among the most aggressive - and regularly criticised - drivers is Michael Schumacher, and he insisted that the FIA is fully able to make judgements about incidents. "If it's not within the rules the FIA would have taken action," said the seven time world champion, referring to the incidents in Bahrain. "They didn't and I didn't see anything wrong either." (GMM)
Spain to host tense drivers' meeting on Friday
- Published on 11 May 2012 09:06
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
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Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
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Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
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Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
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Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
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Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
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- Team Aston Martin
- Points 629
- Podiums 9
- Grand Prix 199
- Country ES
- Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
- Place of b. Oviedo, ES
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 187,793 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 636,481 comments on Mercedes
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- Tweets about Mercedes
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