Alonso aims for podium at Australian GP

Unlike his teammate Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso was more successful in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix as he managed to take fifth position on the Melbourne grid between the McLaren de Kevin Magnussen and Toro Rosso de Jean-Eric Vergne. The pilot of the Team Ferrari managed to escape from the traps set by the weather. After being summoned by the commissioners to study a maneuver on Esteban Gutiérrez, the Asturian was able to keep his place at the start. “I think it’s a good result after these difficult qualifying sessions, especially when you consider that it was the first time we drove the car on a wet track. A podium is within our reach with such a position. We were lucky in Q1 as the rain arrived just after my fastest lap and we also enjoyed the track in its best condition in Q2. »

If Fernando Alonso is satisfied with his position on the grid, he also notes that the forecasts which suggested a superiority of Mercedes were apparently founded since Lewis Hamilton won the pole and that Nico Rosberg will start from third position. “I knew that the result of the free practice sessions did not reflect the reality of the situation and that the hierarchy would only appear today, with Mercedes a head ahead of the others”, specifies the Asturian. “It also provides a clearer picture than we had during winter testing because we couldn't be sure of what the other teams were testing. We have now noted the points on which we need to improve and this will be the objective for the next events. Consumption shouldn't change things too much because all the cars lose half a second per lap by saving fuel. The weather will also play a role, with the forecast being imprecise for tomorrow. The priority is to finish the race and do better than the others in the coming months. I am convinced that we will succeed in realizing the full potential of car and simplify procedures with training. »

The Australian Grand Prix will be contested from 7 a.m. French time and can be followed live on AUTOhebdo.fr. Photos from the weekend can be found on this link.