With a sixth place on the grid that Fernando Alonso equaling Alonso’s best ranking since 2014, the Asturian flew through the water and got closer than ever to the Mercedes. “In Spa we were not happy in water and in Ímola we were not competitive, so we had doubts. But we were fast, in a way this is good news. What I missed this year in terms of preparation was more kilometers in the water, ideally it was in free practice, not in qualifying and the race, but we took it. “” We are confident in the wet. Then, in the dry, I think I could have finished fourth if I’m good in the third sector. I touched a white line and several tenths are lost there. But they are positions that are not in our career, I would have had Hamilton behind and very soon I would be fifth. The sixth is more realistic and gives us a better chance for the race “, the Alpine rider commented to AS.
Regarding the race this Sunday: “In Hungary it is very difficult to overtake, I prefer to defend myself there than in Sochi, with this long straight. We will see what we can do. Bottas starts from behind and it will be very difficult to keep him behind, and Verstappen will arrive during The race just like Valtteri came out last and finished on the podium at Monza, and Checo is ninth. The sixth can quickly be an eighth or ninth. I suppose those in front think the same, sooner or later you end up in your natural position ”. “Our rivals are Aston Martin and Alpha Tauri, we started in front and we want to finish in front. There are other rivals who are not in our career, “he said.
“The second corner is one of the most difficult in the championship”
The start will be complex because the slipstreams will be aggressive before the first stop, which is further than usual: “The second corner is one of the most difficult in the championship. In five starts here, five safety cars through turn two, so there are tough spots on that first lap. If you start well and take the slipstream of the car in front you can recover positions. If you have a bad start, you must defend yourself. It will be a decision by instinct. But I am in a position to take risks and the rivals are not, because unfortunately we are not fighting for the title. We will take risks if there is an opportunity, but without going crazy. “