Were Hamilton and Alonso in identicals cars sr. Ron?

sergio, Valencia, Spain

Hamilton beat Alonso in identical equipment last year. He showed maturity in his first race this year, with lots of safety car pressure. If Alonso knew he was better, he would have stayed at McLaren and proved it. Alonso knows Hamilton is better and therefore went back to a poorer team because he didn't want to compete with Hamilton race-by-race and get his behind handed to him again.

J, Bristol,

John - Spain - it's hard to say, there are always differences between teams' cars. But it ultimately was Alonso's decision to go back to Renault.

Hamilton appeared on the tv show Top Gear last year and drove a 'reasonably priced car' - a suzuki saloon or something similar, in the wet, in a very lackadaisical manner, and beat every time driven by anyone else on the track apart from the show's own driver who has driven thousands of laps on it, and I think Nigel Mansell, who did it in the dry (Aussie Mark Webber did it the previous series I believe and beat every non-pro driver despite being in wet conditions, but not near as quick as Lewis).

The fact is there are some really talented drivers out there (eg Kovaleinen, Kubica, Raikkonen - AND Alonso) of which Lewis is just one - he's a class act and he's got a lot less ego than you'd expect from someone of his age in his position.

I think Alonso would have been wiser not throwing his toys out of the pram and staying at McLaren..

Gavin, London,

Would all those Alonso fans stop whinging. He (Alonso) had an identical car last year...and Lewis still beat him. It's time to let it go. Alonso lost his cool and his drive last year. Fact. let's just get on with it

James, Maidstone,

"It was a cool drive under pressure that underlined that Hamilton has raised his game in every department. "

Remind me, what pressure was Hamilton under, exactly? All the chaos was happening way behind him, and all he had to do was bring the car home.

What I am looking forward to this year is some great racing AND impartial reporting. I don't specifically mean here, after the last race last year when Kimi stole the Championship, the ITV commentators sounded like someone had just died.

C'mon people, one sided reporting shows poor appreciation for the sport as a whole. Its what the fans are for, not the commenators.

Audrey, London,

Is it not too soon to start pouring all this accolades? This is just 1 out of 17 races and we know/expect all to have their share of mishaps as the law of averages will eventaully catchup with all of them. Pls note my comment is in good faith as I bore no ill feelings against anyone. To me all have their individual talents.
By the way congrats Lewis that was a textbook race. Keep it up. Kimi come back with guns blazing. Alonso you've lived up to your tenacity and drive. Kovalainen pls more concentration nxt time you almost pulled the number 4 then you lost it. Nick Heidfeld and Nico typically the tough Germans who always get the job done.

MD, Hull, UK

Tevellyan Black: Simply put. Imagine for a moment Hamilton with Alonso's Renault and viceversa. Do you see Hamilton finishing in 4th? I honestly don't. But there is no doubt in my mind Alonso would have won driving a McLaren (or Ferrari by the way, it doesn't matter). Hamilton hasn't proved anything other than being fast driving a fast, reliable car. Alonso has proved he actually is the best driver in F1 nowadays. Hamilton has never won a race without starting from pole (pretty boring and in a way the "easy" way I might add). When there are problems for him, he's out...Sorry. Enjoy while you can (that is: no problems or challenges for Mr. Hamilton and Ferrari drivers not messing everything up ridiculously).
Hamilton is a fast but tremendouly arrogant and immature driver. Fernando Alonso grew up working hard, with limited equipment and resources, travelling by van all over Europe with his dad for the karting races. THAT is inspiring.

Miguel, Manning, USA

What is it with you Alonso fans? Alonso is a great driver but could not compete with a talented rookie! Last season.
It was confirmed that his team lost Hamilton the title (remember Monaco and also the tyre fiasco!) a lot of the decisions are made by the team not the driver give him a break and enjoy the sheer talent of the man! If Alonso wanted to compete them he should have stayed put! But is the real world if you show the kind of loyalty to your employer that Alonso showed you would get fired with no compensation! Good luck to him and in a slower car we will see his qualities. HA ha!

Trevor, Cheshire, uk

Juan Madrid. A lot of critics last season claimed that the only reason Hamilton was winning was because he was copying the Alonso car setup. Now it is because of a lack of rivals is it? Hhhmm.

Tevellyan Black, London, England

Juan - Madrid - Hamilton proved he cannot work well under pressure ? Were you watching a different US GP last year (amongst others ?)
Do you not recall the near race long pressure from Fernando ?
forgive me if I mistakenly recall, but I think Lewis won or at least finished ahead of his toy throwing ex team mate ?? Even if Lewis were to win every race in a season, it'd still not be enough for some !

Daniel, Margate, Kent, UK.

Well done Lewis, I'm proud of you doing so well for our country!

Jean, Bedford, UK

I wonder what Hamilton would have done if he had driven Alonso´s turtle slow Renault. The Renault had a top speed 12 km/h slower than the McLaren in the start-finish straight.

John, torrelavega, Spain

Great start for Hamilton, congratulations. Perfect race, perfect weekend. Will things change when there is a rival? The Ferraris had mechanical problems, and Renault needs to develop one second more per lap to have Alonso in the fight. Last year Hamilton proved he cannot work well under pressure. Is he a more sensible driver now? What would have been the result with Hamilton in a Renault? Just wondering. But above all, it was a fantastic race by Hamilton.

Juan, Madrid,

It was a great perfomance from Lewis. He showed lot of maturity and made the race look easiest one even as his rivals and 'paddock' favourites fell by wayside. I look forward to see him world champion this year.

P M Reddy, Dubai, UAE

It was a great perfomance from Lewis in chaotic race. He showed lot of maturity and made the race look the easiest one even as his rivals and 'paddock' favourites fell by wayside. I look forward to see him as world champion this year

P M Reddy, Dubai, UAE

I'm so glad McLaren are performing well this year,hope they keep it up,they deserve to do well after all the nonsense that went on in 2007.

M Mowbray, Auckland, New Zealand