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Having driven the McLaren MCL34 for the first time, Fernando Alonso has said that it is better in every way than last years car. He says that it is a step forward in every aspect and should be fighting for "best of the rest" with Haas for 2019.
Double world champion Alonso who retired at the end of 2018 had a strong start to his final season. The Spaniard admitted that the car was not improved after the Spanish Grand Prix and he found it painful to have to accept that during his final season.
The MCL34 has exceeded the expectations of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr in the first two races with Sainz getting into a battle with Max Verstappen and Norris making it into Q3 for both races and finishing 6th in Bahrain. Sainz had previously described the MCL34's pace as "unthinkable" after the teams dire 2018.
After his first drive, Alonso said: "It's a step forward in every aspect of the car. The car has more grip, the car is less draggy on the straights, the engine is a big step better as well. Overall, as a package, the car is on the right direction."
"As a first step, hopefully, consolidate as the fourth team or lead the midfield together with Haas. That's the target and I felt that in the car as well."
Alonso had returned to his former team to carry out tyre development work for Pirelli and he insisted that the test was not a ploy for him to return to F1.
He added that the only way that he would return to F1 is if he was in with a serious chance of winning a world championship.
"That possibility is tempting for any driver. But to finish seventh, sixth or even fourth, it's not tempting."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Always that huh, Alo? I kinda like that hunger for better, but clearly no door seem to be open for you. Unless RB would break tradition and make sure Max have a decent rival, though Im not too sure Max would approve. Neither would any of the other top divas.
xoya
Posts: 583
Sadly, Alonso's F1 story is done.
No way back for him.
At least, not in a championship winning car.
Only Vettel's demise would give him a very small chance to return and do something worthy of his talent.
Thst would be sort of a poetic justice, given he lost two championships to Vettel.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think so too, for better or worse. I think he has burned too many bridges, and he only want a seat at the top 2 anyway. Don't think Vettel will leave Ferrari any time soon, but I could see a power shift if Leclerc keeps doing well. However I don't necessarily think there'd be any "justice" in Alo returning to Ferrari as much as a poetic irony. He left Ferrari because he thought they were on a downward spiral, yet here we are, and as of late, every time Alonso have left a team, they've gone to the school of Dark Souls and took a course in how to "git gud".
cricho
Posts: 80
If Mclaren gets a competitive car for 2021, meaning a championship contending car, he would surely come back. He just said it. Only way.
cricho
Posts: 80
Great to see maclaren working in the right direction!
Step forward in every aspect and should be fighting for "best of the rest" with Haas for 2019