Third grand prix of the season and again, and there are already three in a row, third place for Fernando Alonso which, like the rest, was a prisoner of the new Formula 1, tire management. And all so that in the end it seemed that they were going to risk everything in the shortest race in history with two laps. Two accidents, first that of Albon and then that of Magnussen, They caused the race management to issue red flags that allowed us to see three starts from the grid, although the last one was more a simulation than anything else. And less bad.
The superiority of the Red Bull Compared to the rest of the cars, it is absolute and not even Mercedes, which seemed to have gained some muscle in qualifying and in the first start, worried the Toro cars, which are still the best in everything, top speed, traction and tire conservation.
Verstappen has already set course for a new World Cup while the rest, especially Mercedes and Aston Martín, will fight for the crumbs or Red Bull’s mistake that seems unlikely, although at the end of the Australian Grand Prix the FIA He was studying the incorrect placement of the Dutchman’s car in the last start. It must be remembered that the stewards had already warned the pilots that after widening the boxes on the grid they would be inflexible in the sanctions for a possible bad placement in them.
The ones that don’t seem to get hooked on the cars above are the Ferraris and that Carlos Sainz, this time yes, has been able to sign a very good race despite the bitter taste of an unfair penalty. Although the driver from Madrid entered the curve last, causing the crash and the exit of Alonso’s car in the second start of the race, his performance caused neither damage nor changes in the position of the driver whom he had allegedly offended, Fernando Alonso. The five seconds imposed on Sainz by the commissioners in a race that ended after the safety car sank him unfairly on the grid.
In any case, what does the FIA want the cars to do if they restart a race from the grid when there are only two laps to go, what the drivers must and are obliged to do is risk as much as possible to get a better place. In fact, not only Sainz causes a crash, but at least five single-seaters step on the record and even the Alpines collided with each other, leaving them out of the race.
His teammate Charles Leclerc has had less luck and opportunities who has not been able to complete a single sole back to the Albert Park track after a touch with Lance Stroll. The Monegasque has three zeros in three races, his worst start to the season since he debuted in F1. Russell was the other victim, not only was he penalized when he entered to change tires a few seconds before the first red flag was declared, but he also had to leave after burning up the Mercedes power unit.
In any case, there is still a World Cup for the Spanish and above all for Fernando Alonso, who is still second overall, and although he still needs a little more from his car to catch up with the reigning champion, he is strong and above all constant. We are seeing the best Fernando Alonso of his career, prudent when he has to be, especially with the tires, and aggressive when he smells blood and points. When I get to 33, I think it doesn’t matter, the most is to be able to continue seeing Alonso with the ability to fight and to be able to drive with a car that responds in every way.
