Fernando Alonso joked about his relief that the United States Grand Prix weekend lasted only three days, after Aston Martin slid gradually down the order across each day of running.
Alonso was fourth quickest in first practice, and then sixth in Sprint Qualifying. He was unable to show his pace in the Saturday Sprint after involved in a collision at the first corner, and was then 10th in Qualifying for the Grand Prix itself – which is also where he finished on race day.
“In Qualifying, we were stronger for sure than in race pace,” the Spaniard said after the Grand Prix. “It has happened a few times already this year that on Friday we are very fast, on Saturday we half fast, and then on Sunday, we are struggling more. It’s good that it is only three days, the weekend. If not, on Monday we would be even worse!
“We need to understand why and we need to build the momentum in the last five races step-by-step and arrive in a strong position for Sunday.”
He added: “It was good to score one point, obviously, but I don’t know… we didn’t have the pace. We were slow in the race. We held the position, and even with two DNFs in front of us with the Williams and the Mercedes [Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli], we still only finished 10th, starting 10th.
“We need to find a little pace for Mexico.”
Neither Aston Martin driver saw the chequered flag in the weekend’s Sprint, with Alonso involved in the opening lap mayhem that also saw both McLaren drivers retire, while Lance Stroll crashed into Esteban Ocon while attempting a bold overtaking move at Turn 1 late in the race. For that transgression, the Canadian was handed a five-place grid penalty and started the Grand Prix from 19th.
Of his more successful Sunday outing, in which he made up a host of places to finish 12th – Stroll said: “It was a fun race, attacking all race, and some good overtakes, so that was fun. We were close to getting points. We did the best we could, and it was going to be tricky from where we were starting.
“We made our way through and picked up some positions. The car was feeling good today, so we’ll see what we can do in Mexico.”
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