Fernando Alonso says qualifying in the top 10 for the first race of the new season was a “relief” for the Alpine.
However, he asked his team to continue with their development program after running 1.6 seconds slower than pole-winner Charles Leclerc in Bahrain.
“To fight the top 10 with both cars, I think, was a bit of a relief for Alpine that the work in the winter was positive,” Alonso said.
“Now it is up to us to develop the car as quickly as possible. It will be a huge development for everyone and we must also be on the track quickly.
Alonso starts the first race of the season from eighth, three places ahead of his team-mate Esteban Ocon. However, he is concerned about the size of the team’s round deficit for Ferrari and Red Bull.
“We have to push the button in the factories now and try to make the new parts [come] as soon as possible on the circuit, “he said.
“There are already good ideas in the factory, but I think it’s the same for everyone with the new cars, we will see big changes on the cars in the first months. We have to make them work and hopefully that gap with close the pole position which is still too much, about a second.
However, Alonso said he was glad Alpine was not as badly affected by the “porpoising” as some other teams.
“No beans for us so far this weekend,” he said. “So finger crossed, it’s still a mystery to a lot of people. So hopefully tomorrow stays that way.”
Advertisement | Become a RaceFans Supporter go ad-free
2022 Bahrain Grand Prix
Browse all 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix items
Add Comment