Fernando Alonso: “That was a bit of a surprise” / Formula 1

Fernando Alonso could get a really strong result in the Shanghai Sprint. But the Formula 1 veteran, who started the race from third on the grid, not only came out empty-handed at the end, he had to park his Aston Martin before the checkered flag fell. The reason for this was the unpleasant contact with the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz.

His compatriot at least managed to drive to the end. After the checkered flag was dropped, he complained: “He pushed me off the track, and my car confirmed that and the tires got dirty, so it went the wrong way. Things were going well up to that point, but it cost us both the race.”

Alonso himself was in a better mood when he answered questions from the media and said: “I gave myself, but unfortunately I couldn’t finish the race. But I really had a lot of fun and I have to say it was a little surprising that I was so competitive. I was second after the start and I thought the opponents would pass quickly.”

“But I was able to hold off Verstappen for a few laps and the group behind for a few more laps. But I think I put a lot of pressure on the tires there. I was fighting wheel to wheel with Carlos for a few laps and then unfortunately there was contact which led to a puncture and eventually retirement. But not too many points are distributed in the race, so the focus is on the GP,” added the two-time champion.

Sprint, Shanghai International Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 32:04,160 minutes
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +13,043 sec
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +15,258
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +17,486
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,696
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +22.099
07. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +24.713
08. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +25,696
09. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +31,951
10. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +37.398
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, +37,840
12. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +38.295
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +39,841
14. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +40,299
15. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +40,838
16. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +41,870
17. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +42,998
18. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +46,352
19. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +49,630
outside
Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, tire damage

World Championship Position (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix and 1 out of 6 Sprints)

the driver
01. Verstappen 85 points
02. Perez 70
03. Leclerc 64
04. Sainz 59
05. Norris 40
06. Plate 34
07. Russell 25
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 17
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Racing Red Bull 155 Punkte
02. Ferrari 129
03. McLaren 74
04. Mercedes 42
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0