After reaching his a centesimal podium within the muddled and contentious situations of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso is hoping for an improved outcome at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, having thus far secured two third-place finishes within the present Formula One season.
Maybe even his thirty third Formula One win, and first in 10 years.
The Aston Martin driver was behind the Red Bull pair of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez within the first two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in what has been a one-sided championship thus far.
Alonso believes the championship will turn into extra aggressive because the season progresses however is happy with how his Aston Martin is performing main into the Melbourne race.
Practice periods for the Australian Grand Prix start Friday, with one other session Saturday previous to qualifying.
“At the moment we are extremely happy with the performance of the car, obviously. It was better than expected, especially in Jeddah,” Alonso said. “We arrived right here with stage of confidence. But, as I mentioned, after just a few occasions any longer, I believe the vehicles will change lots in just a few areas by means of improvement.”
The 41-year-old Alonso grew to become the sixth driver in Formula One to succeed in the 100-podium milestone when he completed third in Saudi Arabia two weeks in the past in a race with a contentious postscript.
The Aston Martin driver was hit with a 10-second penalty for being barely out of place at the beginning, which dropped him to fourth behind Mercedes’ George Russell.
Alonso was later reinstated to 3rd after a profitable attraction to FIA, arguing stewards had not knowledgeable Aston Martin of the penalty inside the regulated timing.
Russell mentioned on Thursday it was an odd state of affairs however believes the proper name was made.
“Obviously it was the right decision. It was just a bit of a shame what a mess it was for everybody else,” Russell said. “I believe from my facet and our facet, we didn’t really feel like we deserved to complete in third place, however clearly it’s fairly a pleasant feeling when it’s handed to you. But then when it’s taken away, it was simply all a bit foolish.”
Alonso mentioned though “the state of affairs in Jeddah was not ultimate,” he nonetheless loved the expertise of celebrating the achievement on the rostrum previous to the stewards’ deliberations.
As a results of the Jeddah state of affairs, the grid field for the Australian Grand Prix and remaining races have been prolonged, with a middle line added to assist drivers begin within the appropriate place.
Alonso final gained an F1 race in Spain in 2013, however his pair of podium finishes in 2023 have excited followers in his homeland, together with No. 1- ranked tennis participant and compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz devoted a victory over Tommy Paul within the Miami Masters this week to the two-time world champion. After his triumph, Alcaraz wrote the phrases “33 quickly” when signing off on the outcome on the printed digital camera lens. It prompted a pleasant interplay between the pair on social media.
“It is crazy to see how Spain is now so enthusiastic again for Formula One, for everything that is happening. This is very nice to see,” Alonso said. “Hopefully we will attain that quantity, 33, after which go for 34.”
Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ championship by one level from Perez, believes Alonso is able to ending the drought quickly.
“I believe Fernando ought to have gained much more races. He deserves to. I’d be completely happy to see him win No. 33 but in addition in a method, I wish to see him win extra,” he mentioned.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
