Alonso: I'll help Massa
by Niamh O'Mahony, 13 October 2008
Fernando Alonso has revealed that he will help Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in the battle for the World Championship should the opportunity arise.
Asked by Spanish newspaper AS would he assist the Brazilian in the title fight, Alonso, a former team-mate of Lewis Hamilton, replied: "Yes, certainly, if I can help, I will help Massa."
The comment is far from surprising given the season that Alonso endured at McLaren last year alongside the Briton, but also confirmed that relations between the pair are still strained as suggested by the duo's awkward handshake before podium celebrations in Singapore a fortnight ago.
The Spaniard also believes the driver that keeps his nose clean in the final two events will be crowned Champion.
"They have lost many points," he went on. "After 16 races the leader has 84 points. I had 82 in nine races in 2006. Whoever commits fewer mistakes will win."
Alonso did, however, allow Hamilton to unlap himself on the final lap in Japan, an incident that Alonso was quick to play down.
"I wanted to do the last three bends slowly, without getting into trouble and it was normal to leave him pass without taking any risks," he explained.
"It was a very important victory for the team and for me. The truth is that I'm on a cloud. Two victories in fifteen days and with a car that, for half of the year, myself and team thought the season was lost."
Asked if Renault will be able to challenge for victory in the final two races, he concluded: "I do not know what to say, but my heart says yes.
"I am confident for the upcoming races. Maybe not win, but the podium is possible now [as] we are four tenths back from Ferrari and McLaren."