Alonso: Mercedes is behind so it doesn't feel that attractive
Alonso, finishing sixth at Suzuka, jokes about Mercedes' form amid rumors of replacing Hamilton. His future is watched closely as his contract ends.
Suzuka standout
Fernando Alonso's scintillating drive at the Japanese Grand Prix was a masterclass in resilience and skill, culminating in a well-deserved sixth-place finish.
The two-time World Champion's performance at Suzuka was nothing short of remarkable, prompting him to rank it among the top five of his illustrious Formula 1 career.
From the outset, Alonso displayed an unwavering connection with his Aston Martin AMR24, consistently extracting every ounce of performance throughout the weekend.
Starting from fifth on the grid, a position he deemed "completely out of position," he was able to outperform in qualifying the faster McLaren of Oscar Piastri and the Mercedes of George Russell.
Defying expectations
Alonso's achievement was amplified by the widespread belief that both McLaren and Mercedes have superior machinery this season.
"P6 today is completely unrealistic,"
he exclaimed, acknowledging the remarkable feat of outperforming his rivals' purportedly quicker cars.
A glimpse into Alonso's future plans
As the 2024 season unfolds, Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, with his Aston Martin contract expiring at the end of the year.
While his stellar Suzuka performance reignited his passion for racing, the 44-second gap to race winner Max Verstappen was a stark reminder of the challenges he faces.
"I had a lot of fun, which is great to keep on racing,"
he mused,
"but I'm 44 seconds behind the leader. It doesn't feel attractive in the same time, so let's see."
When he was then pushed on the Mercedes links, Alonso added that
"Mercedes is behind so it doesn't feel that attractive."
"I think that this was my best weekend, certainly inside my top five ever.
"For me, P5 in qualifying and P6 today are completely out of position, so I am very proud.
Comments ()