F1 News

Fernando Alonso counts on Verstappen dropping out

Alonso believes in a win: 'It will happen eventually'

21 March 2023 at 20:10
Last update 21 March 2023 at 21:19
  • GPblog.com

Two Grands Prix, two podium finishes. Fernando Alonso's season could have started worse. For the Spaniard, who in Saudi Arabia picked up a trophy for the 100th time in Formula 1, there is still work to be done. Although his Aston Martin has been exceptionally strong this season, Red Bull is in a league of their own for now.

Aston Martin and Alonso are extremely happy with the steps made over the winter. The next step is a win and - although rival Red Bull was too stromg during the first few weeks - the English team is confident that it will happen, Alonso told The Race.


Need a little help

The Spaniard admits that he and his team are going to need some help: "But it will happen eventually, when they cannot always finish first and second. One day it’ll be a [botched] pitstop, one day it’s a gearbox. Max had yesterday [a failure] – if he’d had it today, he’d have had to retire the car."

According to Alonso, though, it is important that - when the opportunities arise - Aston Martin seize them immediately. During the first two Grands Prix, Red Bull faced technical problems, but they still managed to finish (well ahead of the competition).

In 2022, Red Bull also had problems at the start of the season, but after Melbourne - when Verstappen retired - there were hardly any DNF's. Perez did not make it to the finish line in Canada due to a gearbox problem, but that was it in terms of DNF's due to technical problems.