Fernando Alonso: “I've been waiting for this moment for a long time”

The driver of the day is called Fernando Alonso ! Very comfortable at Losail where his A521 responded after an Austin-Mexico-Interlagos sequence that couldn't have been more complicated, the pilot Alpine rectified the situation in style this Sunday.

Initially 5th on the grid but ultimately 3rd thanks to penalties Max Verstappen et Valtteri Bottas, the double champion completed a perfect race to join the leading trio at the finish. A first in 7 years. 

« It's incredible ! It's been seven years but we finally made it, he exulted to the cheers of the audience. We were close in some races but not close enough like in Sochi (Russia) where the opportunity presented itself.

In all honesty, I thought I was going to be in the lead after the first lap. I thought I could take risks with the soft tires but in the end I couldn't. In the end it was also very close with Checo (Sergio Perez). I am very happy for the whole team but also for Esteban (Or with) who was able to finish 5th. »

🔥 ¡ OLÉ @alo_oficial ! 🔥#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/TD6O4cr5Cb

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) November 21, 2021

To succeed in securing this podium, Fernando Alonso and his team bet everything on the one-stop strategy. A daring bet that ultimately worked for them. “ We had planned a one-stop strategy from the start but we didn't know how bad the degradation was, or not, since it was a new race for everyoneHe says. In the end, it went well with a fantastic pit stop, the team was great as was the reliability of the car. They deserve it. I'm enjoying F1 and I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I am happy »

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