The opinion of the great former driver
Chivalry compared, and this time not in terms of horsepower, even if engine power remains a decisive factor, especially at Monza, the temple of speed. During the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari chose not to have Lewis Hamilton support Charles Leclerc in qualifying. The seven-time world champion had initially said on Thursday that he was ready to help his teammate, only to later clarify on Saturday that he had “never done that in his career.” Meanwhile at McLaren, the pit wall intervened to instruct Oscar Piastri to give the position back to Lando Norris, after the Briton had lost it due to a pit-stop delay.
Jean Alesi, the former driver who is still adored by Ferrari fans, had his say on these two episodes that shaped the Italian Grand Prix. On Sunday he once again had the chance to unleash the roar of Maranello’s V12, driving the 412 T2 with which he won his only Formula 1 race in Canada in 1995 on his birthday.
In his regular column for Il Corriere della Sera, Jean Alesi wrote: “I did not like Hamilton’s attitude. He could, and perhaps should, have helped Leclerc in qualifying. Many people expected that kind of gesture from Lewis, even without anyone asking him, considering his words earlier, how the season has unfolded, and the fact it was his first meeting with Italian fans. I believe this even if a better grid position would not have changed Ferrari’s race outcome. Many also ask me if, as a driver fighting for the championship, I would have returned the position to Norris like Piastri did. My answer is yes, I would have done it, because being part of a team like McLaren means absorbing a culture that has always been about unity and success, one that involves every single member.” – the former Ferrari driver concluded.
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