In a dramatic start to the 2023 Formula One season, Fernando Alonso drove his way to a podium finish, marking a significant achievement for both himself and his team, Aston Martin. With his P3 finish in Bahrain, many fans and experts are now questioning whether the veteran driver will be able to win his first race since 2013. Alonso’s performance has demonstrated that the hype surrounding Aston Martin’s progress is genuine, and the team is now seen as a serious contender for the championship.
During the post-race press conference, Alonso was asked about his prospects of winning a race this year. He responded positively, stating that there are 22 opportunities in the season and that anything can happen in the sport. He said, “I would say yes because when you are P3 in race one, there are 22 opportunities this season. Anything can happen in 22 races with different conditions. And, you know I will try my best to have the opportunity. Maybe we need some help.”
When asked if he could have fought with Red Bull if he had not been stuck behind Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, Alonso acknowledged that the battles had cost him time, saying, “I’m sure that you lose 10 or 15 seconds on all those battles. So if we are 40 seconds behind the leader, we could have been maybe 20 seconds or 30 seconds. Yeah, not a real fight – yet – to Red Bull.”
Despite the challenges he faced during the race, Alonso was confident in his team’s ability to make further progress this year. “Last year, we needed some help from the top teams just to get the podium,” he said. “Maybe this year, if there is this help or there is some retirements in front of us or some problems, maybe it’s more than a podium. So let’s hope for that.”
Alonso’s comments have sparked excitement among fans and experts, who see his podium finish as a sign that he is back in form and ready to compete at the highest level once again. Many are now speculating that he could finally win his first race in nearly a decade, with some even suggesting that he could challenge for the championship.
