Alonso: A podium with a taste of victory in Austin

Fernando Alonso remains in the fight for the title at the end of the US Grand Prix by climbing to the last step of the podium in Austin behind his rival Sebastian Vettel who was beaten by Lewis Hamilton. The weekend was particularly difficult for the Scuderia, which had once again had disappointing qualifying results. The stable of Maranello preferred to move back Felipe Massa so that the Asturian starts from seventh row on the clean side of the track. The strategy worked as the two-time world champion moved up to fourth at the start before Mark Webber retired with an alternator failure.

The first driver of the Scuderia was unable to catch up with the leaders but his result remains very satisfactory since he only gave up three points to his opponent for the coronation. “We know that our chances remain alive thanks to the first laps of the race”, recognizes the Spaniard, who does not fail to highlight the success of his team's strategy. “We knew we had a good chance. I tried to overtake cars in the first corner and my speed then increased when I was at the front. But I couldn't stay in contact with the first two (Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton). They were just too far away but I had enough pace to keep the other riders behind me. »

Discover the analysis of the US Grand Prix in Austin in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, available from Tuesday in digital version for iPad, PC and Mac, and from Wednesday on newsstands.