Fernando Alonso’s class has come to the fore on a day in which the rain has changed everything. The Spanish driver was second only to an untouchable Max Verstappen, helped by a drier track in the final minutes of Q3.
We never get tired of saying it: Fernando Alonso He continues to drive as well as ever and only the absence of a car to match his talent prevents him from continuing to increase his tally of victories and podiums in Formula 1.
This Saturday, at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, it has once again been demonstrated. And it is that the Alpine driver has been immeasurable to end up achieving a position on the front row of the grid for the Canadian Grand Prix of this Sunday.
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a perfect saturday
Things already started very promisingly in the third free practice session on Saturday, in which Fernando Alonso set the fastest time on a wet track where the extreme tires only left room for the intermediates in the final minutes.
Later, in qualifying, the rider from Oviedo continued to show that everything was in place to fight for the best. In Q1, Alonso set the second fastest time less than a tenth behind Max Verstappen. Y, in Q2, this order was repeated.
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The moment of truth remained, but the track was already dry in some areas and the question remained as to whether any rider would dare to use dry tyres. In the end only George Russell triedgoing off track at turn 2 as a result of said bravery.
Meanwhile, the three fastest drivers of the day played for pole position, with Fernando Alonso losing options as the seconds passed with an asphalt less and less wet. In spite of everything, the Alpine rider was able to overtake Carlos Sainz, although not the untouchable Max Verstappen, who took pole position after improving Alonso’s time by just over six tenths.
Attack on the way out
Fernando Alonso missed the 23rd pole of his career in Formula 1, but it doesn’t matter, the result left Alpine and the Spanish pilot with a wide smile on his face.
“It’s been an incredible weekend, we’ve been competitive since Free Practice 1, where we usually are, but also on Saturday, where we usually lose something,” declared Fernando Alonso after getting out of his #14 car. «The car has been ‘mega’ today, it has been very fair with the car and the fans have given me that extra push». Then the stands roared in honor of the two-time champion.
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Now it’s time to think about Sunday. Unfortunately, rain is unlikely, so Fernando Alonso’s options will be much more limited and finishing in the top five will surely be a realistic target.
In any case, Fernando Alonso does not rule out putting on a show in the first few laps, even joking about taking the lead in the race. “I think I will attack Max in the first corner”he finished, unable to hide his satisfaction.
For his part, his teammate Esteban Ocon finished in seventh position and will also opt for a good result starting at 8:00 p.m. this Sunday.
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Photos: Alpine F1 Team