If the Red Bull team picked up where it left off last year when its two drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, clinched a one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, we will also remember the remarkable performance of Fernando Alonso, the podium that accompanied her during the race.
• Also read: Already points for Lance Stroll
• Also read: Lightning start for Stroll and Aston Martin
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Making his debut in Formula 1 aboard an Aston Martin, the Spanish veteran, who at 41 is the oldest driver on the grid, was combative from start to finish of that first of 23 stops in 2023.
Lance Stroll, Alonso’s team-mate, was also impressive, finishing sixth despite bruising his wrists and right foot after a bicycle accident two weeks ago.
“nice to drive”
After eleven laps before the end of the race, Alonso was able to confirm his third place without much worry.
Okay, if Charles Leclerc (then 3rd) hadn’t suffered an engine failure, Alonso probably wouldn’t have made it onto the podium for the 99th time in his glittering career on lap 41 of the 57 laps of the race. .
In his 20th season in motorsport’s premier class, Alonso is enjoying complete happiness. As proof, he sent a clear message to his engineer when he radioed on lap 53 that “this car was nice to drive”.
Despite broken bones
A little later, at the end of the curtain, he praised Aston Martin.
“This team did an excellent job in the off-season after a very difficult 2022. We were the second best car at the beginning of the year. We had fun and I also want to congratulate Lance on his result, which exceeded all expectations. »
Stroll, he shed a few tears as he finished his course.
After revealing on the airwaves of British broadcaster Sky Sports the day before that he had fractured not only both wrists but also a toe, the Quebecois fought valiantly with George Russell, whom he edged out by a second. to hold onto a hard-fought sixth place and pick up his first eight points of the season.
“I thought about retiring with 20 laps to go, I was suffering so much, he admitted, but I continued my race knowing that valuable championship points were within my reach. »
All in all, Stroll silenced his detractors who predicted a difficult start due to a very badly timed injury. And that despite the fact that he almost ruined everything with a daring maneuver on the first lap when he touched Alonso. Luckily not serious.
Best… second?
This performance from Aston Martin only confirms the excellent performance of its single-seaters in winter tests.
A Grand Prix doesn’t make a season, we can agree, but we have to admit that this team, led by Montreal billionaire Lawrence Stroll, has made tremendous strides since last year.
What if she was the best second on set? Ferrari and Mercedes now have every reason to worry.
Stars for Gasly and Albon
Alonso earned his Driver of the Day title but two other drivers we think deserve second and third stars at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Second went to France’s Pierre Gasly, who finished 9th in his first race with the Alpine team after starting from 20th on the grid.
Thailand’s Alex Albon (10th) is third after scoring the last available point at the wheel of the Williams, still seen as the worst single-seater on the grid this year.
Honorable Mention for his teammate, American Logan Sargeant, who finished 12th in his first ever F1 start.