Saturday’s spectacular qualifying at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve leaves us with a duel at the top between Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. However, this time the weather will not side with the Alpine pilot.
Alpine promised a battle on the dry Friday, but in no case enough to challenge the leading teams: Red Bull Racing and Ferrari. However, the rain changed everything and Fernando Alonso knew how to take advantage of the opportunity to fight for pole position.
Finally, this fell on the side of Max Verstappen, but Fernando Alonso he secured a front row place for the first time since the 2012 German Grand Prix, when he was still a Ferrari driver.
“I have a lot of respect for Fernando and I’m sure he’s going to try, but he knows he doesn’t have the rhythm to fight for victory”
And the first thing Fernando Alonso said to the current world champion after qualifying was that he would attack him in the first corner. The veteran Spanish driver wants to lead a Formula 1 Grand Prix again and there is no doubt that This Sunday from 8:00 p.m. You will have a golden opportunity.
But, no chance of rain for the racethe truth is that thinking about victory or the podium seems out of reach for Fernando Alonso and Alpine.
Fernando Alonso’s Plan
Thus, the driver from Oviedo sets himself the goal of getting points for the fourth time in a row this season. And, if all goes well, a place in the top five at the end of the race.
“It is an incredible result for us to get second place (on the grid), so I am very satisfied. It was impossible to know the grip levels on each lap in those conditions and that made it even more difficult »reported Fernando Alonso on Saturday afternoon.
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“It is a bit unexpected to be in the front row, but it will be very nice to be there tomorrow. Let’s see if we can fight with Max in the first corner. Although, having said that, our main objective will be to score points»nuances a Fernando Alonso who is fully aware of what really matters.
“The team deserves a big congratulations, since they have been working hard on the improvements and this is a sample of it. It will be a long race again in different conditions, but I am confident, so let’s see what we can do », he reiterates.
Max Verstappen’s Plan
Max Verstappen will have an opposite approach to his unexpected opponent. The championship leader knows that he is not worth risking too much at the start with a driver who is not a rival for the world title.
“I have a lot of respect for Fernando and I’m sure he’s going to try, but he knows he doesn’t have the pace in the race to fight for victory. I totally get it. We also have to focus on our career and we don’t have to take many risks, “acknowledges the Dutchman.
“Of course I hope it will not be an easy race, but I think this Saturday, with the difficult conditions, We kept calm, made no mistakes and made the right decisions in Q3.”said Max Verstappen.
The third in discord, Carlos Sainz, starts third and has Sergio Pérez and Charles Leclerc far behind on the grid. It is, therefore, the ideal day to measure up and fight for victory with Verstappen. Will the Ferrari driver be able to do it? Will Fernando Alonso be judge and party in said duel?
Photos: Alpine F1 Team