In qualifying for the Japanese GP, Fernando Alonso pushed himself to the limit and was awarded fifth place. He later admitted that in Q3 he took risks he didn’t feel comfortable with.
The Suzuka circuit is a great challenge for drivers and drivers like Fernando Alonso can prove their skills on tracks like this. The two-time world champion from the Aston Martin team managed to set the fifth fastest lap in qualifying for the Japanese GP. And he was pleased with his performance afterwards.
In the last part of qualifying he pushed himself to the limit – and was lucky to finish his test without making a mistake, as he later admitted. “I think I squeezed every tenth of a second out of the car. However, in the last two tests in Q3 I took risks that I didn’t feel comfortable with. Things went wrong in Australia when I made a mistake in the sixth corner. And when you’re so close to the limit, you have to be with a little luck that everything works out and you can finish the cycle,” he explained brightly.
“This time everything went well and I am very happy with the fifth place. Last year we were one and a half seconds from the lead here in Suzuka, this time it was only a tenth. “So we have made good progress,” said the veteran of Formula 1 for fun.
The updates that Aston Martin had were definitely helpful. “But it’s difficult to say how much it was successful. The team now has to analyze that,” explained Alonso, explaining: “But the problem in Formula 1 is that once you’ve taken a step forward, you’re immediately looking for the next step. It’s an endless search for performance more.”
Qualification, Japan
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:28,197 minutes
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:28.263
03. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:28.489
04. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:28.682
05. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:28.686
06. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:28.760
07. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:28,766
08. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:28,786
09. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29,008
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:29,413
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, 1:39.472
12. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:29.494
13. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:29.593
14. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:29,714
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:29,816
16. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:30,024
17. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:30,119
18. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:30.131
19. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:30,139
20. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:30,143
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