Jordan: Alonso could decide title showdown
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has claimed Fernando Alonso could be Lewis Hamilton’s biggest ally as he bids to secure his maiden world title in Brazil on Sunday.
Jordan believes Alonso’s desire to win the race at Interlagos could play into Hamilton’s hands as the McLaren driver leads Ferrari’s Felipe Massa by seven points going into the final race of the season.
Jordan told talkSPORT that Alonso’s desire to win the race would be greater than any wish to see former team-mate Hamilton or old team McLaren lose out to Massa.
Jordan said: “It’s been made very clear that Alonso is no big fan of Hamilton and he will do anything he can to try give the championship to Massa. But he is saying that providing it doesn’t affect his chances [to win the race].”
Jordan also believes that Alonso’s Renault team boss Flavio Briatore will want the Spaniard to win the race above all.
“Flavio Briatore is such a big head that he will want to make sure that his man wins this race,” added Jordan.
“Alonso’s car is nowhere near as good as a McLaren or a Ferrari and yet he’s won two of the last three races. He could, despite what he’s said about Hamilton, turn out to be Hamilton’s biggest ally in this as he will want to win the race.”
Jordan also claims the pressure will be on Massa because he has to close the points gap on Hamilton and will also have the expectations of his home crowd to deal with.
He said: “There’s pressure on Massa. He’ll have 180,000 people there cheering for him. The down side for him is that he has too much to do, Ferrari hasn’t won the last three races and he has to finish first or second and that’s with Hamilton scoring no points.
“So I think there’s still a lot for Massa to do, so the sensible money will be on Hamilton to become the youngest ever grand prix champion.”
With a 60% chance of rain forecast for the race, Jordan claimed Hamilton would triumph in wet conditions.
Jordan said: “He is a class above in the wet. He has a silky skill; you can see it in the dry. But you can see it so clearly in the wet.
“(Ayrton) Senna had that unbelievable skill and Hamilton has it. They are the two best I’ve ever seen in the wet; they are the best exponents in my time with that skill. Hamilton cannot be beaten in the wet.”
