Fernando Alonso has praised Aston Martin for “an incredible” performance which saw him finish third at 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Alonso had topped FP2 and FP3 but qualified fifth after opting for one flying lap in Q3, yet was demoted to seventh on the start by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and survived a Turn 4 hit from his teaamate, Lance Stroll on the opening lap.
The Spaniard however was able to jump Russell during the first pit stop before battling his way past Hamilton on Lap 38, from which his pace eventually overwhelmed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz as he passed his compatriot on Lap 45 to finish third due to Charles Leclerc’s power unit failure.
Alonso’s podium consequently completes a stunning turnaround for Aston Martin who this time last year were eliminated in Q1, and failed to finish in the top ten in the race as they struggled to adapt to the new regulations.
Alonso therefore urged fans to saviour his podium finish as he commented post-race: “This is an incredible result from the entire team and we must enjoy this moment. I am very proud of the job everybody has done.”
Reflecting on the car’s performance in Bahrain where all ten teams had tested a week prior to the season-opening race weekend, Alonso added: “The car has been very predictable from day one [of testing] and I have felt very comfortable throughout the whole weekend.”
Alonso though admitted that he had “enjoyed” some “great fights” on track which left him feeling like he “could have driven for another hour!”
On his battle with Hamilton which was bound to take long-time fans back over a decade in emotion, Alonso praised the Brit for his role in their duel, as he said: “Lewis is a legend of the sport and it was great to have so much respect between us out there.”
Stroll meanwhile made up two positions to finish sixth from eighth – despite racing with a wrist injury suffered two weeks earlier – after he jumped Russell on Lap 32 with warmer tyres after he had pitted a lap earlier than the Brit.
The Canadian’s performance duly was acknowledged by Alonso despite their opening lap clash, as the Spaniard said: “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.”
Alonso though iterated that despite there being a positive “energy” within a “very motivated” team, there is a need to “stay realistic because this is just one track and the first race.”
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