The first tensions between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso surfaced after Hamilton finished second behind Alonso at Monaco. Post-race comments by Hamilton suggested he had been forced into a supporting role, leading the FIA to investigate whether McLaren had broken rules by enforcing team orders. McLaren denied favoring Alonso, and the FIA subsequently vindicated the team, stating that "McLaren were able to pursue an optimum team strategy because they had a substantial advantage over all other cars ... nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result."
Tensions resurfaced at the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix. During the final qualifying session, Hamilton went out on track ahead of Alonso and ignored requests from the team to let him through. The two drivers had been taking turns on a race-by-race basis to lead during qualifying, which gave the leading driver an edge due to the fuel load regulations then in place, and Alonso was due to lead in Hungary. Hamilton was then delayed in the pits by Alonso and thus unable to set a final lap time before the end of the session. Alonso was relegated to sixth place on the starting grid, promoting Hamilton, who had qualified second, to first, while McLaren was docked Constructors' Championship points. Hamilton reportedly swore at Ron Dennis on the team radio following the incident, though McLaren later issued a statement on behalf of Hamilton that denied the use of any profanity.
As a result of the events over the 2007 season, the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso reportedly collapsed, with the pair not on speaking terms for a short period. Alonso and McLaren terminated their contract by mutual consent in November 2007, ending his and Hamilton's time as teammates. In subsequent years, tensions between the pair dissipated, and mutual respect has grown. Alonso praised Hamilton in 2017, stating that Hamilton "was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that." Alonso later described Hamilton as one of the top five greatest drivers of all time. On the cool-down lap after Alonso's final race before his two-year hiatus in 2018, Hamilton joined Sebastian Vettel in paying tribute to Alonso by driving in a formation to the start-finish straight where all three executed donuts.
As teammates, Hamilton and Alonso won eight of 17 races held. Both drivers achieved four victories and 12 podium finishes, while Hamilton outqualified Alonso ten of 17 times. At the end of their season as teammates, the pair were tied on 109 points, with Hamilton placing second and Alonso third in the World Drivers' Championship by virtue of Hamilton having more second-place finishes.
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