Alonso repeats the word “surrealist” several times when he explains his fifth place on the grid to the written press. The two-time champion will start from the third row this Sunday at the Bahrain GP, after the Red Bull and the Ferrari. And he looks at the podium as a possible result. “It’s strange for me to say that we started fifth and we want more. We thought that the first three teams were untouchable with the advantage they had last year, we wanted to lead the middle zone, but now we say that we started fifth and we can fight against Ferrari for the podium. You have to run the race without errors, a good start, good pit-stops. But we are living a dream, ”he says.
As for qualifying: “It was incredible, it’s been a surreal weekend. Too good to be true every session. Our expectations in qualifying were to be half a second behind Red Bull and I think we are six tenths off pole. I don’t even know what to say, eight months ago the project was a bet. Now, in the first race, with a car so new that you can get a lot of potential, fighting against Ferrari and Mercedes seems surreal. But we assume it, of course.”
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The fight is against Leclerc (3rd) and Sainz (4th), Red Bull is in another league. “In practice we knew we were behind Red Bull, third, fourth or fifth. The position in free practice was too good. But nothing can be saved now, we are in the fight with Ferrari and Mercedes. Again, it’s surreal. We have to wait for Jeddah or Australia, they are very different tracks and I don’t know if we will maintain this form on different circuits. But this car is very basic to start the season with this new concept, there is much more on the way in terms of development, I am optimistic.
“Good things are coming for Aston Martin”
Tire degradation should favor Alonso against the two Ferraris: “Let’s seeI laugh because going for a podium in the first race is too good to be true. But from what we’ve seen on this car, and historically on Aston Martin, it’s good tire degradation. If we get the chance, we’ll go for it.” Is happy? “I was happy last year in Canada. But I didn’t finish the race properly. What I think is that this project has the motivation and they will always go for more. Good things are coming for Aston Martin.”
Fernando also remembered the work of Stroll, who without a preseason and after an injury was able to qualify eighth: “Impressive, I congratulate him in each session. It’s not easy what you’re doing. This shows his determination to have a good F1 career. His passion for this sport may not always be understood, because Lawrence is the owner, but he is now showing everyone a lot of things ”.
