Alonso enjoying on-track scraps with “very tough competitor” Hamilton again · RaceFans

Fernando Alonso says he has enjoyed renewing his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton this year after the pair went up against each other again in Melbourne.

Hamilton out-ran Alonso to finish second in the last race. However in Bahrain two races earlier Alonso successfully chased down and overtook his former team mate and 2007 world championship adversary to claim the last podium place.

Alonso said he enjoyed his latest encounter with Hamilton, despite his rival prevailing in their contest. “It is a very good thing,” said Alonso. “He’s a legend of our sport.

“We saw in Australia, I think we spent the whole race within two seconds of distance, playing with the distance a little bit. He has no weak point, he does no mistakes.

“He’s a very tough competitor. To beat him, you need always something special. So this is the type of guys that you want to challenge.”

The Aston Martin driver is also eager to take the fight to Max Verstappen, who has won two of the three races so far this year.

“It’s the same with Max at the moment, he seems unbreakable,” said Alonso. “The Red Bull is fast. He does no mistakes. So one day, you will like to fight him. To see any weaknesses in his driving at the moment, it’s difficult to see.

“It’s the same with Lewis. You need a special weekend to beat them and this is what really motivates everyone.”

Selected Alonso radio messages from the Australian Grand Prix

When Alonso tried to close on Hamilton during the Australian Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver was able to respond. Alonso made one attempt following a Virtual Safety Car period which had been triggered by the retirement of Hamilton’s team mate George Russell:

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Later in the race Alonso made another attempt to close on Hamilton, but again the Mercedes driver responded by increasing his pace: