Alonso contending for victory in Jeddah? “We are better on Sunday than Saturday”

It's been almost a year since Fernando Alonso had not found the first row on a starting grid. The last one dates back to the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix, with Alpine. The Spaniard, third in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, takes advantage of Charles Leclerc's penalty to move up one place on the grid. L'Aston Martin will take the start alongside the only Red Bull survivor, that of Sergio Pérez, after the mechanical setbacks of Max Verstappen in Q2.

“It’s a very good weekend for us, rejoiced Fernando Alonso after qualifying. In Bahrain, qualifying was our weak point but today the car worked very well on one lap. Let's see what we can do [Sunday]. With Charles [Leclerc]'s penalty, we will start on the first row. It's incredible. »

Alonso banks on Aston Martin's good racing pace

In Bahrain, the Spaniard managed to get a podium starting from 5th place. Can he aim for better on Sunday in Jeddah? “We are confident for the race. [Friday] our long stints were affected by traffic, but the car looked very strong. The strong point of the car is the pace of the course and the degradation of the tires. We are better on Sunday than on Saturday. »

Fernando Alonso's last victory in Formula 1 dates back to the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, already 10 years ago. A decade of famine that could end in Jeddah. Answer Sunday from 18 p.m. for the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

ALSO READ > Engine problem for Verstappen, Pérez on pole in Saudi Arabia