Fernando Alonso will look for his first podium of the season in Jeddah. The double world champion, who will start fourth in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, the second of the World Championship, said at the Jeddah street circuit that he is “happy with the weekend” and that “the time trial was fantastic.” Alonso was 37 hundredths behind the time of the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), triple world champion, who will start first on the fastest street circuit on the calendar.
“I’m happy with the weekend, we have been very fast in all the free practice; and in the time trial (qualifying), too. We are there, with Red Bull and Ferrari, which is surprising; and we have beaten the Mercedes already the McLaren, again,” explained the Asturian, with 32 victories in the premier category, in which he has 106 podiums, of which eight last year -one on this track-, in his first season with Aston Martin. “The car is very fast on one lap, although it is not so fast on long runs. It was not fast either in Bahrain or here, so we have to work on it. We have made some changes,” warned, however, the brilliant Asturian driver, who 21 years ago achieved his first points in F-1, in the Australian Grand Prix, held at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne.
“I have gained confidence with the car, I think, since Q1 (first round of qualifying). It has always given us a good feeling, it has a lot of grip; and on this circuit you have to pass very close to the walls, so if you don’t have confidence, you’re not going to go fast. And the truth is that I felt very good,” said Fernando after finishing fourth in the qualifying held on the second longest track in the World Championship, after Spa (Belgium). “But I am also aware that five days ago we were the fifth car on the grid, behind Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull; and in five days history will not have changed that much. It is going to be a difficult race,” he warned.
The race will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. with 50 laps and can be seen through Dazn, which has the broadcasting rights in Spain, and on Movistar Plus+ through Dazn F-1. You can also follow the race with live information at www.larazon.es.
Sainz’s thanks
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), who underwent surgery for appendicitis in Jeddah and will miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for that reason, published a message on “X” in which he states that he feels “much better”, thanking everyone the messages of encouragement you have received during the last few hours. “I underwent a soft operation (”Smooth operation”, in English, in a play on words that alludes to the song ”Smooth operator”, by Sade; which he usually sings after his hits) and I I feel much better,” explained the Madrid pilot. “Thank you for all your kind messages and to everyone who has taken care of me these days in Saudi Arabia, especially to the Hospital of the Armed Forces of King Fahd. THANK YOU,” wrote Sainz, who took the opportunity to congratulate him for his performance in qualifying for the young Englishman Oliver Bearman – who replaces him in this Grand Prix – and his partner the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, whom he refers to humorously as “Lord Perceval” and who will start second in Jeddah.
2024-03-09 06:06:59
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