via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria – July 7, 2022 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Florion Goga
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria – July 7, 2022 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Florion Goga
It was an enticing battle between Alpine and McLaren throughout the French Grand Prix, with Lando Norris starting ahead of Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo starting ahead of Esteban Ocon. But the results in the race turned out to be the opposite of the qualifying, as the Alpine duo had a better race pace than their rivals.
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Alonso did an amazing job managing the race ahead of Norris in the second half of the race. His race engineer gave him a heads up of the McLaren driver’s pace in the race, but his response was just legendary.
"C’est une longue course, s’ils veulent se battre, ils en paieront le prix" en référence aux McLaren derrière.
Pourquoi la réalisation n’a pas diffusée cette radio d’Alonso 😭😭 #F1 #FrenchGP pic.twitter.com/ScYZcCm8Oq
— Alpine F1 TEAM FAN FR 🇫🇷 (@AlpineF1Team_fr) July 25, 2022
“It’s a long race. If they want to fight, they will pay the price. So I need to do my own race, I think!” said the two-time world champion, talking about the McLarens behind.
READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About F1 Helmet Visors and How They Work in the Rain
After the race, the Alpine driver explained how he managed his pace in the extreme heat at Paul Ricard. He also pointed out the race was a chess game between them and McLaren.
Fernando Alonso reveals how he managed to keep the McLarens behind
The Spanish legend made an exceptional start as he jumped to P5 after Turn 1. From there onwards, he had a slight advantage over Norris in terms of race pace on both sets of tires.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 10, 2022, Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during a press conference REUTERS/Murad Sezer
“It was fun. The start was crucial, probably, to get ahead of Lando. I think [McLaren] have very similar pace, but to be in front of them in the first couple of laps was enough to control the race and to control the pace.”
“I think we played the race like a chess game; we tried to position the McLaren’s close to us and try to have some clear air in front, so all in all… it was a good Sunday,” said Alonso.
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WATCH THE STORY: Red Bull and McLaren Quarrel Over 2022 F1 Cars
The battle between Alpine and McLaren looks like it might go till the final race. Currently, the French team has jumped ahead of the Woking-based outfit and stands P4 after the French GP. It is fun to see Alonso being sassy on the team radio in the middle of the race. He just might be the difference maker in the battle for P4 in the championship.
