Alonso Takes Subtle Dig at Ferrari After Outperforming Them in Canadian GP Qualifying
In a tongue-in-cheek remark, Fernando Alonso took a subtle jab at his former employer Ferrari after outperforming both of their cars in Saturday’s Formula 1 qualifying session for the Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s gamble on rain didn’t pay off, leaving Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to struggle on worn tires during their final attempts to reach the top-10 shootout. The strategy blunder and lack of pace ultimately relegated Leclerc and Sainz to 11th and 12th places, respectively.
Meanwhile, Alonso secured a respectable sixth place in qualifying, prompting him to remark to Marca, “> “We’re close to good people, aren’t we? Ahead of [Sergio] Perez and the two Ferraris who suddenly came to win the World Championship after Monte Carlo.”
Alonso’s comment was a clear dig at Ferrari’s recent resurgence, which some have touted as a genuine title contender.
Ferrari’s Form Reversal
Ferrari’s form reversal has coincided with Aston Martin’s struggles, which Alonso hopes to turn around. After a disappointing Q1 elimination in Monte Carlo, Alonso returned to his early-season qualifying standard, much to his delight.
“I think [it’s been] a good weekend so far for us, a good Friday and then today a little bit more competitive than the last two events,” Alonso said.
The Spaniard acknowledged the tight grid and the importance of precision, stating, “> “Times are extremely close, within one-tenth you can be out of Q1 and now two-tenths of pole position. So everything can happen on this tight grid and this type of circuit.”
Despite failing to put together a perfect lap in Q3, Alonso remains optimistic about Aston Martin’s progress.
“We didn’t put a perfect lap in Q3 unfortunately, so it hurts to see now that two-tenths you could be on pole,” he said.
Alonso’s Struggles and Hopes for Recovery
Alonso’s recent struggles, including two consecutive Grands Prix without points, have been attributed to a series of upgrades that failed to elevate Aston Martin up the Formula 1 standings. However, Saturday’s qualifying session has given him hope for a better outcome.
“I think we are understanding for sure a lot of things on the car, but this is the first step into hopefully a recovery plan,” he stated.
Alonso is keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead, particularly in the event of rain.
“Much better starting position obviously than the last two events, but the race is tomorrow. If it does rain, if you stop one lap too late or one lap too soon for the wrong tyre, that means your race is over. So we have to keep very, very focused tomorrow.”
Catch up with the latest Formula 1 news, including Formula 1 qualifying, Formula 1 standings, and the Formula 1 calendar, as we head into the Canadian Grand Prix race day.
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