Fernando Alonso believes it is “a bit optimistic” to expect him to repeat the podium finish he achieved in the Qatar Grand Prix two years ago.
Formula 1’s maiden visit to the Lusail International Circuit witnessed Alonso accompany title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the rostrum, scoring his first podium since 2014 driving for Alpine.
Having achieved six top-three finishes across the opening eight races of this year, Alonso has only secured one podium in the previous eight rounds amid Aston Martin’s plight.
The Silverstone squad struggled for pace last time out at Suzuka and Alonso, who trailed home eighth, is anticipating a similar outcome at another high-speed circuit.
“I think it’s going to be not too much of a difference [to Japan],” he said. “I don’t think anyone is bringing big upgrades to this weekend and the characteristics of the car and the circuit are quite similar to Suzuka, so I guess it’s going to be not too different.”
Although the Spaniard has downplayed the chances of replicating his 2021 result, Alonso predicts that the Sprint format only enabling one hour of practice before qualifying could provide opportunities.
Asked about Aston Martin’s hopes of battling for a podium place on Sunday, Alonso replied: “It could be far away because we’ve been… we were on the podium two years ago, and it seems a bit optimistic this weekend to think about the podium – but let’s see.
“I think it’s going to be a stressful weekend for everyone with the new asphalt, as we touched, this temperature, only one free practice to optimise the set-up. So, I think no one will arrive 100 per cent to qualifying on Friday because there is not time enough on the free practice.
“So, if someone gets to qualifying only 60 per cent optimised and another team gets 90 per cent optimized, maybe there is a better chance. So yeah, it is interesting. But looking back at Suzuka, I think it could be a weekend that we are not maybe at that type of performance.”
Despite retaining pessimism about his chances of a strong result, Alonso is convinced that the current generation of F1 cars will drive better than its predecessors around the newly resurfaced Lusail track.
“I think it’s going to feel better, to be honest,” he contended. “I think the new generation of cars, they’ve been quite okay at high-speed corners and are struggling a little bit in the slow-speed corners and here is all about high speed. So, I think the cars will feel good.
“And yeah, I think the question mark is the new asphalt: how grippy it is and how dusty is going to be in the Free Practice One – but yeah, the Sprint weekend obviously will add spice to everything.”
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