F1 News
Alonso calculates lead cleverly: 'I knew Hamilton's speed'
- GPblog.com
Esteban Ocon owes his victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in part to Fernando Alonso. His teammate kept Lewis Hamilton behind him for a long time and prevented the seven-time world champion from getting in front of Ocon.
It was a great battle between former teammates Alonso and Hamilton. The British driver tried to get past Alonso as quickly as possible, but the two-time world champion outsmarted him every time. Although Hamilton eventually did succeed, it was too late to take first place.
Alonso didn't need his team to understand that Hamilton needed to stay behind him for as long as possible, he tells Speedweek. "The team didn't tell me anything, but I followed what was happening in the race on the video screens the whole time. I saw Esteban defending against Vettel and I knew they were about two corners ahead. I knew how long we had left, I knew Lewis' speed and I could easily calculate that every lap I stayed ahead of Hamilton would help Esteban."
Ocon and Alonso in the world championship
The Spaniard ended up finishing fourth in Hungary, which puts him in 11th place in the world championship. Ocon is one position above him with one point more.