Fernando Alonso thinks he has an opportunity to combat for the rostrum in Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix after being buoyed by his “wonderful” fifth place in qualifying which “felt too good to be true.”
Alonso and his Aston Martin group have been the discuss of the paddock after topping for FP2 and FP3, with the expectation that the Silverstone group might a minimum of problem Mercedes to enter the highest three.
The two-time world champion did precisely that in qualifying, taking fifth place behind the 4 automobiles from Red Bull and Ferrari and narrowly forward of Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
When Motorsport.com requested him if Aston Martin’s robust tyre administration and race tempo means Alonso might take goal on the Ferraris and go for a podium, the Spaniard stated it was attainable, even when it “felt too good to be true” to even be excited about it.
“Let’s see, sure. I’m laughing as a result of going for a podium in race one… it feels too good to be true,” Alonso grinned.
“But for certain, what we noticed to this point on our automobile, and in addition traditionally Aston Martin has an excellent tyre administration. So yeah, if we’ve a possibility for certain, we’ll take it.”
Amid the hype across the AMR23’s efficiency, this weekend’s free apply classes continued offering proof that the group constructed a powerful automobile however Alonso admitted that preventing with Ferrari and Mercedes “appears a little bit bit unreal”.
“In apply we knew that we have been round third or fifth or fourth,” the 41-year-old defined.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“It was wonderful. The complete weekend has been unreal for us. It was like too good to be true each session and each efficiency of the automobile.
“And then in qualifying, our expectation was to be round half a second was from Red Bull, so it was fairly proper.”
Alonso stated the group thought Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes would show “untouchable” in 2023 and was quietly simply hoping to assault the entrance of the midfield.
“Again, it feels so unusual for me to say that we begin P5 and possibly we’re aiming for extra,” he added.
“Because we considered sincere that the primary three groups have been untouchable this yr with the benefit that they had final yr, and possibly we attempt to lead the midfield combine.
“But now we’re saying that we begin P5 and possibly we combat with the Ferraris for the rostrum, so that is simply unbelievable.
“So yeah, let’s maintain working, maintain the ft within the floor and execute the race one of the best ways attainable.
“No errors. Good begin good stops. And let’s have a look at the place we’re. But to this point, we live our dream.”
