After the preseason tests, we warned him in Mundo Deportivo. If the sustained speed shown by Aston Martin in pre-season testing, based on good tire management, is confirmed, the podium is a realistic target for Fernando Alonso. And after what was seen in free practice and the fifth position achieved by the Asturian in qualifying, behind the two Red Bulls and two Ferraris, and ahead of the two Mercedes, the box should be a real and possible goal in this Sunday’s race. in Sakhir, the first round of the season.
After the pre-season tests, in MD we have already pointed out that in addition to confirming Aston Martin’s good long run, it is necessary for Fernando Alonso to increase his podium chances with a good classification. It happened to see if the Spaniards could win a place in the classification with respect to Ferrari or Mercedes. He couldn’t do it with respect to the Italians, but both Carlos Sainz and Leclerc admitted on Saturday after ‘qualification’ that they had to suffer against the better rhythm of their rivals.
Ferrari admits superior speed to Aston Martin
“In the race we will have to suffer a little because we know that Ferrari lowers more than our rivals, but we will do it”, said Carlos Sainz. “We have to be realistic. Red Bull and Aston Martin seem to be very fast in the race.”said leclerc. For this very reason, Charles preferred not to go out to do his final qualifying test and decided to reserve a new set of soft tires so as not to start with a used tire. So he drained his cartridges against an Alonso who seemed to have a better weapon to make an accurate shot towards the podium.
Get out in front of Mercedes, key
However, Alonso was able to maximize those options and advance part of the work towards today’s podium, passing the two Mercedes in qualifying. Now, the question is to see if Hamilton or Russell can compete one-on-one in the rhythm of the race with Oviedo. “I think it’s going to be very difficult to get through, you have to manage the tyres, the race speed and it’s going to be about the breakdown in those runs,” Hamilton said on ‘DAZN F1’.
Starting 5th and not 7th allows Fernando Alonso to gain track time, except that you have to pass the Mercedes on the asphalt, against which he had to defend himself in the beginning. That can allow you to get a few seconds to attack start the ferrari. And if you get a good output, you can also think about the hardest: for the second position of ‘Checo’ Pérez. The Mexican has the superior Red Bull, but his pace on Friday was not as good as Verstappen’s and raised more doubts than a Max who was on another planet and out of reach.
‘Safety Car’, techniques and variables
To all this we must add all that can change the race. The the strategy should be two stops and that will add chaos to the match, because the strategic diversity or the implementation of the stops they can make a difference. Furthermore, the ‘Safety Car’ is usually a fixture in Bahrain to make things better and benefit or harm one or the other.
Essential jump: It no longer depends on others or the rain
At this moment, Fernando Alonso starts 5th with real podium options. You don’t have to wait for the help of the rain to think of him as he should have in recent years. He also does not need any problems with another car to start the race between the candidates for the drawer. That was the first clear leap in quality to be seen from his move to Aston Martin. You can fight with good weapons, depending on yourself. It’s not ready to take on Max Verstappen’s Red Bull yet, but it’s on its way “important improvements for future races” which fills the Spaniards with illusion.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
