Fernando Alonso has labelled his São Paulo Grand Prix podium as a
“phenomenal” result for Aston Martin after recent struggles in F1.
The Silverstone-based outfit started the campaign as Red Bull’s
nearest challenger for victories but, since the summer break, has
slipped back to fifth in the Constructors’ standings, behind
Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. But strong pace from Alonso and
teammate Lance Stroll at Interlagos saw the duo secure third and
fifth at the end of 71 laps to inject much-needed optimism back
into the team. Alonso was forced to work for the result, however,
with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez launching a late assault on the
two-time champion. After the Mexican made his way through on the
penultimate lap, the Aston Martin came roaring back past at Turn 4
on the final lap before narrowly holding on in a drag race to the
finish line. “It was like 30 laps that I had the pressure from
Checo,” said Alonso. “When he passed me with two laps to the end, I
thought ‘ok, the podium is not possible anymore’. “He braked too
late into Turn 1 and I went for it into Turn 4. This is a
phenomenal result for the team. “We’ve been struggling for a couple
of months, especially the last two events with two retirements, so
this podium is for them, for everyone in the factory. “We kept
fighting until the last lap.” Aston Martin ‘still learning’ Aston
Martin had introduced a radical upgrade package at the United
States Grand Prix, though Alonso reverted back to the Qatar
specification following a miserable Friday and Saturday at the
Circuit of the Americas. On overcoming the struggles faced by the
team in welcoming a podium finish, Alonso explained: “We are still
learning about the car. “These cars are so complex aerodynamically
so we have been experimenting to find the direction for next year,
without forgetting this year. “So happy for the result, now to
Vegas.”
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