Lewis: 'Alonso isn't the man I imagined'

Updated 12.17 Fri Sep 28 2007

Keywords: Ferrari, McLaren, Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Formula One, sport

Lewis Hamilton believes the recent rows between himself and McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso have helped win him support.

The duo have been involved in a number of spats on the track this season as rookie Hamilton has gone to the top of the World Drivers' Championship standings ahead of the reigning champion from Spain.

"(Alonso) is not the person I imagined him to be, but that's the way it is" - Lewis Hamilton

The Briton, who goes into this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix just two points ahead of Alonso and 13 clear of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, said: "Since what's gone on, they (McLaren) have realised who the real people are in the team and who they should really back.

"(Alonso) is not the person I imagined him to be, but that's the way it is. When you are in a relationship with a certain amount of people, you do the best job you can and want to show to everyone that you are the one for the team.

"In this situation, I was a rookie and he was the two-time world champion coming into the team. He is the one that was looked at to bring it home, but eventually I have earned more respect from them."

After Ferrari had dominated the morning session at the Fuji Speedway track with Raikkonen and team-mate Felipe Massa setting the pace, Hamilton posted the fastest time during the afternoon practice session.