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)

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  • 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

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