Fernando Alonso’s debut for Aston Martin was magical, with the 41-year-old having rolled back the years with a remarkable podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend.
Unlike in the past, Aston Martin’s podium wasn’t as a result of luck, but instead due to having exceptional pace.
Alonso and Aston Martin looked strong during pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, with the Spaniard having been amongst Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
Due to how strong they performed in pre-season testing, the typical leading trio expected the Silverstone-based team to be towards the front; however, nobody could’ve predicted that Alonso would top two Free Practice sessions.
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After finishing second in Free Practice 1, Alonso topped Free Practice 2 and Free Practice 3, before qualifying fifth.
Had he qualified closer to the front then perhaps he would’ve challenged for victory, given how easily he climbed from fifth to third, despite having dropped to seventh at the end of the opening lap.
Aston Martin are certainly a real threat this season, meaning Alonso might become less surprised when he tops a session.
“Currently still P1,” Alonso was told after setting a push lap during FP3.
“Oh really? Great!” Alonso replied in shock.
Alonso compared his first rostrum since the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix to a “dream”, with the double World Champion having been “very proud” of every single member of the team.
With his experience, though, comes a sensible mind, with Alonso wanting his team to “stay realistic” given that there are still 22 races to go.
“This is an incredible result from the entire team and we must enjoy this moment,” Alonso said, as per Aston Martin’s press release.
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“I am very proud of the job everybody has done. We did not have the best start, but the race pace was strong. The car has been very predictable from day one [of testing] and I have felt very comfortable throughout the whole weekend. I really enjoyed the race and, even after the chequered flag, I felt like I could have driven for another hour!
“We had some great fights out there today, especially with [Carlos] Sainz and [Lewis] Hamilton. Lewis is a legend of the sport and it was great to have so much respect between us out there.
“It was also an incredible effort from Lance, who was a hero today for driving so well so soon after his injury to pick up some great points. You can feel the energy in the team: everybody is working flat out at the moment and we are all very motivated.
“This weekend feels like a dream, but we must stay realistic because this is just one track and the first race. Jeddah is a very different kind of circuit; a very different challenge. I cannot wait to get back in the car.”