Alonso still 'has necessary passion' for F1 - Perez

  • Published on 18 Apr 2016 12:57
  • comments 3
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Fernando Alonso and Johnny Herbert have buried their differences with a hug live on television. The pair clashed in Bahrain after Herbert, a former grand prix winner, urged the injured Spaniard to retire, but Alonso hit back by gatecrashing live British television to tell the Briton he is "not world champion".

But as Herbert conducted the drivers' parade interviews ahead of the Chinese grand prix, Felipe Massa urged the pair to hug it out and Herbert replied: "Of course, of course." "Fans are happy I'm in the car?" Alonso joked to Herbert in Shanghai. "How can they be happy I'm in the car if I'm at home?"

It was another awkward moment for Herbert, as Alonso's contemporary Sergio Perez dismissed the lingering notion that the McLaren-Honda driver's motivation is waning. When asked about Herbert's view, Perez told the Spanish daily Marca: "It's difficult for me to comment, but I believe that every driver in F1 does it because he has the passion and the dream of being the best and winning each race. There is no other reason to be here," the Mexican added.

But the jury is out as to whether McLaren-Honda can fulfil Alonso's winning dream before age forces him to retire. Team boss Eric Boullier acknowledged that McLaren and Honda are slightly out of alignment in terms of the urgency of their desire to win. "McLaren wants to win tomorrow," he told Spain's El Pais in China. "Honda wants to win, but not necessarily tomorrow." (GMM)

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Alonso has passion for a lot of things lol, racing being just one among those.

    • + 0
    • Apr 18 2016 - 13:07
  • Why are everyone so eager on kicking out the "old" drivers? They arent that horribly old, and at least two of them still have the drive within then. I know for sure both Alonso and Button are good enough to remain within F1. Lets face it: Räikkönen has done more ups and downs than either of those two. I too want Vandoorne to get a seat, but I dont think its time for those two to leave F1 just yet.

    • + 0
    • Apr 18 2016 - 15:32
  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    I´m pretty sure McLaren would drop VanDoorne when Hamilton is going to come back, like they did with Magnussen.

    I´m 100% sure Hamilton just waits until McLaren Honda is strong enough. Let´s wait ca. 2 years and he´ll be back in Woking...

    • + 0
    • Apr 19 2016 - 09:11

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 526
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 148
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar