BELGIUM: A former McLaren trainer has launched a scathing critique of Fernando Alonso’s conduct during his turbulent 2007 season with the team, accusing him of setting a negative tone for the year by failing to be a team player.
Gerry Convy, who was part of McLaren from 2002 to 2008 and worked closely with Alonso, among others, expressed his disappointment in a recent Instagram post featuring a McLaren team-building camp held in Finland.
Fernando Alonso had joined McLaren as the reigning World Champion in 2007, only to find himself in a fierce rivalry with rookie Lewis Hamilton.
The contentious relationship extended not just between the two drivers, but also between Fernando Alonso and the McLaren team itself, culminating in the Spaniard’s departure after a single season to rejoin Renault.
In the Instagram post, Convy shared images of the team-building camp, which featured Hamilton and numerous McLaren staff members but conspicuously excluded Alonso. This absence, according to Convy, “set the tone” for the tumultuous year ahead.
He captioned the post with a scathing assessment: “HOW NOT TO BE A TEAM PLAYER: This McLaren-Mercedes Team Building Camp in Finland 2007 was designed to be a new start for us all. Unfortunately, recruit Fernando Alonso simply did not show up. [Lewis Hamilton] did. This set the tone for the season, and the rest is history. No one is bigger than your team or organisation.”
Fernando Alonso’s 2007 stint at McLaren has been marred by accusations of misconduct. Former engineer Marc Priestley alleged that individuals associated with Alonso attempted to bribe mechanics to favour Hamilton. Additionally, ex-race engineer Mark Slade indicated that the partnership’s lack of success was not solely Alonso’s fault.
Fernando Alonso himself criticized McLaren’s handling of the situation and the management’s failure to support him and Hamilton. He recalled that the team’s top brass had prioritized his rivalry with Hamilton over the team’s performance. Despite the challenges, Alonso reflected on the experience as a learning opportunity.
In hindsight, the 2007 season remains a poignant chapter in Formula 1 history, illustrating the complex dynamics between teammates and the immense pressures within a competitive team environment.
Also Read: Valtteri Bottas Expresses Interest in Audi F1 Transition Amid Alfa Romeo Rebranding
