Can Alonso predict the world champion again? 'McLaren has an advantage'
F1 News
- Savannah Lenz
Last year, after pre-season testing, Fernando Alonso said that the drivers could already tell who would be world champion. His prediction last year ended up being correct as it was Max Verstappen who took home the Drivers' Championship. This year, however, things are not so clear.
On day three of Pre-season testing, Alonso was asked if he was able to predict the championship like last year. He told GPBlog and others, “It's more open this year. Last year, it felt like Max had a big advantage in winter testing.” Verstappen managed to take home the driver's championship early, winning his fourth title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
'Similar to Abu Dhabi'
Alonso continued, “This year, it seems that maybe McLaren has an advantage. But I didn't follow the test. I only read the news this morning. I think it's going to be more open and hopefully close until the end.” McLaren were able to win the constructors championship by 14 points.
But does Alonso have a prediction for this year? He said, “I have no prediction. I didn't follow the test. I know that Carlos was the fastest yesterday because I read all the Spanish news. But apart from that, I don't know even today who is first and who is second. I think they are all in a different programme."
Alonso mentions, “I know McLaren did a good long run yesterday. All the rest of the days, the teams and info, I am not aware." Overall, he admits, “It is difficult to believe that things will change so much compared to Abu Dhabi. Let's put it that way. The first four races, I think that things will look similar to Abu Dhabi”
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