Fernando Alonso Sends Strong Message to Lewis Hamilton's Critics

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Fernando Alonso Sends Strong Message to Lewis Hamilton's Critics originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Fernando Alonso has come to Lewis Hamilton's defense amid mounting criticism surrounding the seven-time world champion's challenging first season at Ferrari.
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Hamilton, still searching for his podium in red, has faced growing doubts as Ferrari continues to underdeliver. But ahead of the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, Alonso offered a timely reminder of just how quickly the narrative can change in Formula 1.
'Lewis is a very good driver,' Alonso said, responding to questions about the scrutiny facing his longtime rival. 'On circuits like Canada, he is able to exploit all his strengths.'
It was a pointed show of support from a man who knows Hamilton better than most. The two battled through one of the sport's most intense intra-team rivalries at McLaren in 2007 and have remained key figures on the grid ever since.
While Hamilton has shown flashes of pace this season, consistency has eluded him. The Ferrari package has failed to deliver, and the pressure of performing for Formula 1's most iconic team has added another layer of difficulty. But Alonso believes the situation is far from hopeless.
Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2024 F1 testing in Bahrain.Peter Fox - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
'He's suffering now,' the Spaniard admitted, 'but he can turn the situation around very quickly.'
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That message carries weight coming from a driver who has repeatedly reinvented himself across two decades in the sport. It also speaks to the respect Hamilton still commands inside the paddock, even during one of the toughest stretches of his career.
Alonso also stressed the importance of patience, noting: 'After 24 years we'll do the math.' With more than half the season still ahead, he suggested Hamilton has plenty of time to silence the critics.
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Ferrari, meanwhile, sits behind McLaren in pace, consistency and championship standings. While Charles Leclerc has managed three podiums so far, Hamilton's adjustment to life in Maranello has been more turbulent.
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But if the two-time world champion's words are any indication, few in the paddock are counting him out just yet.
Hamilton may be under pressure but the fire, and the belief from those who've raced him hardest is still very much alive.
Related: Former F1 Champ Expresses Concern About Lewis Hamilton at Struggling Ferrari: 'Doesn't Seem Himself'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.