The second in a two-part series. Don't miss Part 1 of Sam's Spygate analysis.
This season's battle for supremacy on the F1 track has produced one of the most exciting championship chases in recent memory.
However, not all has been plain sailing—and much of the controversy can be attributed to the media.
In fact, the press may well have ruined this year's title competition by sullying the back pages with team politics and driver squabblings—instead of focusing on more compelling storylines.
To wit:
The efforts of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen to fill Michael Schumacher's shoes at Ferrari?
Unmentioned.
The emergence of BMW Sauber as a real force in Formula One?
Overlooked.
A magnificent season for 22-year old McLaren rookie-cum-prodigy Lewis Hamilton?
Overshadowed.
You see, the real "news" appears to be the in-fighting at McLaren—at least if you believe what you read in the papers.
In one corner is Hamilton, McLaren's favorite son, who sits in his pram playing with his expensive toy and goes crying to his adopted father, team principal Ron Dennis, whenever the ever-so-nasty Fernando Alonso scratches his eyes or pulls his hair.
Alonso, on the other hand, is stuck with a toy that was supposed to be the best one on the market—but has been slowly dissembled throughout the season. The result has been a breakdown in relations with boss.
Therein lies the nut of this outrageously childish off-track rivalry.
Alonso came to McLaren with the idea that he would be the top driver. Not a totally unreasonable request when you consider that he came in on a very expensive contract, swapping two world titles with Renault for an anything-but-guaranteed title shot with a struggling team.
Or so we would have thought.
Hamilton has always been Ron Dennis' baby. Dennis meant to bring Hamilton along as a protégé after his success in GP2 in 2006, allowing him to learn the ropes as a backup driver for Alonso.
It hasn't quite turned out that way.
To everybody's amazement, and to Hamilton's credit, the rookie started the season in magnificent form, better even than the man ahead of him. Where Alonso sputtered, Hamilton flourished—and he hasn't looked back since.
Hamilton has impressed F1 observers all over the world with his speed, bravery, aggression, skill, and confidence. He may well become the first British world champion in 11 years—truly remarkable.
Of course, there's more to the story.
Alonso has blamed everyone but himself for his subpar performance on the track. He may feel, possibly rightly, that he was brought to McLaren under false pretenses. But perhaps he should have seen it coming. Given Dennis' fondness for Hamilton, Alonso was never going to get the preferential treatment he wanted—and perhaps needed.
Like many top sportsmen, Alonso needs to be pampered, and told how good he is. He shouldn't have expected that from McLaren this season.
It must be said that Hamilton hasn't exactly helped the situation. Knowing he has Dennis' support, the rookie has often publicly criticised Alonso.
Clever psychology?
Maybe.
Manipulative?
Certainly.
Pathetic?
Yes.
Which brings us to Spygate.
Spygate was a very good opportunity for Hamilton to get one over on Alonso, after the now infamous emails passed between Alonso and test-driver Pedro De La Rosa (see Part 1).
Alonso threatened to go to the FIA with the contents of these emails if he wasn't granted exclusive number-one status on the team. It was a desperate ploy—and Hamilton wasted no time saying he'd never stoop to such a level.
Alonso has said some stupid things this season, and more importantly has made some stupid mistakes—like blocking Hamilton in Hungary so he wouldn't have time to get in another lap for pole position...or jeopardising Hamilton's race in Italy by nearly running him off the road...or simply joining McLaren in the first place.
You have to admit, though, that he's in a pretty tough spot.
Can you imagine Michael Schumacher in Alonso's position? Even the unflappable former champ may have had the smirk wiped off his face.
Then again, he wouldn't have let it happen in the first place—Schumacher would've stayed put instead of going to another team for financial gain, or would've found a team that could love him as he deserved to be loved.
He did make the right move—to Ferrari—and the rest is history.
As it stands, there's a clear winner at McLaren. Not only has Hamilton trumped Alonso in status—he's beaten him on the track.
There's no doubt that Alonso will look to reclaim his world-class status in 2008. But where?
McLaren?
Doubtful.
Renault?
They'd love him back.
Ferrari?
Wouldn't that be an ironic turn of events in a Schumacher-esque season.
Hamilton, meanwhile, is two steps away from the most amazing achievement in sport this year, and possibly in Formula One history: winning the title in his rookie year.
He has managed to outfox Alonso and the rest of the field with clever manipulation, brilliant driving, and competitive instincts.
For that he should be commended.
Unfortunately, he's also two steps away from being the most arrogant man in sport. And nobody likes a big head.
For that he should be condemned.
Who does Hamilton think he is, Michael Schumacher? That's so not British.
Please, let's keep the rivalry on the track; this off-track nonsense is sad and annoying. Shut up and drive boys—it's what you're paid to do.
And when you're not too busy slating one another, it's what you do best.
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