The fervently pro-Fernando Alonso Spanish press refused to congratulate Lewis Hamilton after the British rookie won the Hungarian grand prix.
The ‘El Periodico de Catalunya’ described the 22-year-old’s 70 laps at the Hungaroring as “victory with a gifted pole position”.
It refers to the qualifying pit stop scandal, in which Alonso was penalised for deliberately delaying his teammate.
The split has created a rift that has brought into question the future at McLaren not only of Alonso, but also Hamilton and the wearied 60-year-old McLaren boss, Ron Dennis.
The Italian press, by contrast, generally praised Hamilton after Hungary, amid the claim of ‘Tuttosport’ that Ferrari could be about to launch a $35 million bid for Dennis’ protege.
Il Tirreno observed: “Even the (team) poison can not stop Hamilton”, while L’Unita said victory was “Hamilton’s revenge”.
France’s L’Equipe also praised Hamilton: “In the face of a storm, he demonstrated the personality and temperament of a potential world champion.”
Spain’s El Pais, however, saved its temper for the governing FIA, calling its interference in the McLaren drivers’ spat “intolerable”.
“If Fernando delayed his teammate, even though both he and the team denied it, it is up to Dennis to take steps.
“The FIA should not interfere in these matters because they concern the internal dynamics of an individual team”.
Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport picked up the theme: “The excessive severity towards Alonso and McLaren seems like a compensation to Ferrari for the joke of (the World Council in) Paris.
“But Ferrari wants its justice in a more serious way.
“The goings-on of qualifying was a team subject that Dennis, not the FIA, should have solved.”
Germany’s ‘Die Welt’ also called the stewards’ call an “unjust and arbitrary decision”.
