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Lewis Hamilton has detailed an early challenge – and turning point – in his F1 career, when he was partnered with Fernando Alonso at McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton has reflected on how “arguing” his corner at McLaren during his rookie F1 season set him up well for his future career. He had to “fight” for parity with Fernando Alonso, which shifted things early on in his debut season. In 2007, it was common for a team to give its drivers different fuel loads in qualifying, with Alonso typically receiving preferential treatment as the reigning champion. However, Hamilton stood his ground after Monaco, leading to him securing pole position at the next race in Canada and claiming his first F1 win. This marked the start of a nine-race podium streak for Hamilton as he emphasized the importance of securing “equal opportunity” with his teammate. The tensions between Hamilton and Alonso continued throughout the season, culminating in an incident during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which had ramifications beyond just their rivalry. Hamilton’s determination to fight for what he believed in shaped his early career and set the stage for his success in Formula 1.
