Alonso says the Bahrain podium is a ‘perfect start’ for the Aston Martin project, while speaking of stunning maneuvers at Hamilton and Sainz | Formula 1®
Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin left the 2023 season opener with a spectacular podium after the team lived up to the hype surrounding their testing and practice performances at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Fifth quickest in qualifying, just behind the Red Bull and Ferrari machines, Alonso used his typically tenacious racing craft and benefited from the failure of Charles Leclerc to climb into the top three during Sunday night’s encounter.
READ MORE: Verstappen leads 2-1 in Bahrain season opener as Leclerc retires and Alonso takes the final podium in style
His rise to the top was marked by some thrilling encounters with the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton – a multi-lap battle between the two world champions that ended with a clever move into Turn 8 in Alonso’s favour.
After passing the W14, Alonso set his sights on compatriot Carlos Sainz and completed a DRS-assisted pass down the backstretch in the closing stages to follow the Red Bull drivers home and spark jubilant scenes in the Aston Martin camp .
After the race Alonso said: “This is a perfect start for this project. We didn’t expect to be so competitive. I think the goal in 2023 was to get in midfield, maybe lead that midfield and eventually get close to the top three teams.
2023 Bahrain Grand Prix: The key steps Alonso took to the podium in Aston Martin’s debut
“Maybe 2023 wasn’t even a podium on the radar and we found ourselves in Bahrain today with the second best car of the whole weekend, just behind Red Bull. It’s a bit of a surprise but we’re very proud and happy with the work done at the Silverstone factory.
“Congratulations to everyone. Let’s enjoy this moment and hopefully build a good 2023 campaign from here and get closer and closer to the top guys.”
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When asked if Aston Martin might need to reset its targets for the upcoming season, Alonso continued: “Let’s see. In testing I had the same feeling like it’s too good to be true and you always expect… to take a step back and come back to reality. But it seems real, the performance.
“Let’s see in Jeddah. I’m curious about going to Jeddah and Australia – very different circuits. I think in Bahrain we were strong in things that we might not find in Jeddah and Australia. If we are strong in the next two races I think we will have a very good 2023.”
Alonso joined the two Red Bull drivers on the podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix
As for arguments with Hamilton and Sainz – which Alonso ‘happily’ escaped on the first lap when teammate Lance Stroll flagged him under braking at Turn 4 – the two-time World Champion was happy to be back at the front.
“I enjoyed it of course because I ended up in front, it’s always the same in every fight. It’s always the same when you’re fighting on the front lines; With these great riders, great champions, it’s a little bit more intense, a little bit more adrenaline going from bike to bike,” he said.
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“I didn’t want any mistakes or contact because of course when you’re P12 you don’t lose anything, but today we fought for big things. I was happy, the car was nice to drive – that was probably our strength throughout testing and this weekend.
“Even if the race felt very long [in] In the last 10 laps because I wanted to see the checkered flag and be on the podium the car was very driveable and I could have driven another hour or so just by myself on the track.”
Stroll finished sixth in the other Aston Martin after suffering wrist and foot injuries in a pre-season training accident, taking the team second in the Constructors’ Championship.