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Alonso leaves flashes of genius in the rain at Suzuka

Fernando Alonso, at the Suzuka circuit. / efe

Japanese GP

The Spaniard took the best time in the first free sessions and finished seventh in the seconds, which gives hope for a good result in the Japanese circuit

The rain is usually the judge and executioner of the pilots in any motor category. Those who do not have enough skills or simply do not know how to drive well if the track is not in perfect condition, are often portrayed at the moment they are forced to drive on wet asphalt. In parallel, those that are brilliant in these types of conditions are usually also brilliant in the dry, although with more competition.

For more than two decades, Fernando Alonso has made it clear that he is one of the most reliable drivers when it rains and, at 41 years old, he has not lost an iota of that mastery. With an almost flooded track, the return to Suzuka after three years made it clear that it is going to be a weekend with precipitation as its guests.

The rain tires (yes, they exist) made their stellar appearance from the get-go. When many suspected that it was going to be a day without action on the track, the teams and the drivers showed that sometimes the FIA ​​is guilty of being too conservative, because it is capable of letting the race roll even like this. With the blue tires, first, and with the intermediate green ones later, the best was an Alonso who is still hungry. Being, furthermore, at a point in the season when he doesn’t care much what they think of him in Alpine (for what remains in the convent…), his great challenge is not only to show that he is still a great rider and an incomprehensible loss for his team, which did nothing to keep him, but can beat a totally missing Esteban Ocon.

Those who got up early (or stayed up late) in Spain, ended up with a possibly unrepeatable image this Sunday, except for the greatest surprise: two Spaniards at the top. And it is that behind Alonso finished a Sainz that needs to claim. In Singapore he was lost, without rhythm and without good feelings. His great objective in this final stretch of the championship is not to fight for the World Championship (an opportunity that, mathematically, he lost in Marina Bay), but to win at least one race. Of the four Red Bull and Ferrari drivers he is the only one who has only achieved one victory this year, and he does not want to finish last in this mini-championship among the great dominators of the year. The problem is that for this end of 2022 he has found not only the circumstances of his direct rivals, but also the emergence of some old enemies.

Mercedes on the rise

If in the morning the rain put all the riders to the test, in the second free practice session there was a little more calm… but not much. The rains were not so violent, but the track remained wet, with an uncomfortable orbayo that left the runners restless.

On this occasion, the order of the grid was more or less predictable with one important caveat: the Mercedes finished in front. George Russell took the best time with Lewis Hamilton behind, and confirmed what many suspect: sooner or later they will be candidates for victory. This weekend is perfect for them as they have much to gain and little to lose. With Ferrari they maintain an intense fight for second place in the World Championship but it will not be easy at all, so their fight is not there. If they are given the opportunity, fine; if not, third place in the constructors’ championship is not a bad result.

Alpine's crooked lines

What is clear is that both Russell, who wants to confirm the generational change that many see in him, and above all a Hamilton who has won a race, at least, in each of the seasons he has played in Formula 1. This year It has not been given and in fact his best result is still the two second places of France and Hungary. The track conditions this weekend may be in his favor, but he will have to play his cards right.

This Saturday, for the classification, a moment of peace is expected. The forecasts suggest that it will not rain as violently as it did this Friday, so it is reasonably possible that a session will be seen within the margins established in the script for this campaign. Verstappen, who by winning on Sunday is practically guaranteed the wing, will seek to lay the first stone.

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