Fernando Alonso could not hide his joy during the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix. The Asturian driver had fun with a car that he himself has defined as “the second best car” on the grid, with which he has been able to fight one on one with the Ferrari and Mercedes, despite the scare at the start, where he received a touch from Lance Stroll.
The ‘friction’ with his partner has been a delicate moment, since it could have been very costly for Fernando’s aspirations.
The Spaniard had started fifth, and at the start he was overtaken by one of the two Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton’s, but a few corners later he received a touch from Stroll and was also overtaken by George Russell.
Fortunately, the touch did not damage Alonso’s AMR23, and he was soon able to get back on track to stick with Russell and pass him. Later, Fernando would also pass Hamilton and Carlos Sainz to place third, after Charles Leclerc had retired in the closing stages of the Grand Prix.
With the Red Bulls unattainable, third place was the most Alonso could hope for in Bahrain… and much more than Fernando could have hoped for just a few weeks ago.
“It’s a dream come true,” Alonso said after the race, speaking to DAZN F1. “Eight months ago (when he signed for Aston Martin), I would not have thought that we would be fighting for the podium with Ferrari and Mercedes in the first race. In fact, I would not have thought about the podium in all of 2023.
“We were the second fastest car and I think it’s a surprise. You have to enjoy the moment and see where we are in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on such a different circuit,” said the two-time Spanish champion.
“This is a new project. Ferrari and Red Bull maintain the concept of car development, while for us everything is new. In the coming months we will see many benefits,” Alonso said about the improvements that Aston Martin F1 plans to introduce soon.
In addition to Alonso, his teammate, Lance Stroll, finished in a good sixth position, and all this despite the fact that he arrived in Bahrain without having ridden in pre-season due to a wrist injury after suffering a bicycle accident. This shows how good the AMR23 is.
“I have talked a lot with him (Stroll) these days during the tests. Seeing that the project is going so well, shows that the work is good, that there is a good atmosphere and good energy,” said Alonso.
