Fernando Alonso targets clear Abu Dhabi GP: ‘Don’t need to be within the information on Monday’

Fernando Alonso will line up sixth on the grid for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, so the extensive smile that unfold throughout his face as he talked to the media got here as no shock. Whereas his expectations aren’t too excessive, he is wanting ahead to having fun with the present from behind the wheel whereas maintaining out of bother.

After a difficult begin to the weekend, the Spaniard’s qualifying tempo got here as a shock.

“Yeah, I am very, very pleased. Slightly bit sudden, to be sincere, P6,” Alonso stated after qualifying. “We had some considerations about this structure, you realize, all of the low velocity has been our weak spot the entire season.

“We got here right here not very assured in regards to the efficiency in Abu Dhabi. Yesterday the automotive felt not nice, to be sincere, a variety of understeer, a variety of issues within the gradual velocity corners. We modified the set-up in a single day.

“We have been courageous with among the experiments that we tried in a single day and this morning the automotive felt good. So, we saved that set-up for quali and truthfully, the automotive was extra aggressive than anticipated. So, I am pleased for the workforce.”

This in a single day gamble not solely reworked the two-time champion’s qualifying tempo however must also make Sunday’s grand prix extra manageable.

“With yesterday’s automotive, we couldn’t flip into the corners. So, now we will flip the corners. So, it’s going to assist to not crash,” he grinned.

Whereas followers of the championship shall be specializing in the struggle between Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Alonso admitted he hadn’t thought in regards to the technique that may very well be in play between them – one thing that would embrace the Dutchman backing up the entrance of the pack.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Picture by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photos through Getty Photos

“I did not thought of that!” he laughed. “Yeah, who is aware of? That is fascinating. I imply, I did not thought of that. Now, I’ve one thing to work tonight,” he stated. “Typically even when he slows down, it is nonetheless not sufficient for us to catch him.

“So, he must decelerate so much. However, yeah, we’ll attempt to do our race and if the technique is open for extra various things, we’ll attempt to react. You realize, clearly, our race is with Haas and Sauber for the constructors’ championship.

“There is no such thing as a different incentive for us tomorrow and we’ll attempt to management that.”

What he shall be doing is keeping track of the struggle from the screens dotted across the circuit.

“It is an easy circuit,” he smiled. “Flip 3, you might have a display screen that’s in the course of your view. Flip 5, you might have a display screen on the within. Flip 7, on the surface. Flip 9, there are two. One on entry, one on exit. So, loads of screens!” he laughed. “I imply, tomorrow goes to be a implausible present for us.”

As he watches the drama, he hopes he will not turn into a part of it.

“I hope to be so far as doable from the struggle. Nicely, not too far as a result of I need to win the factors. However, yeah, not within the information on Monday.”

Pictures from Abu Dhabi GP – Follow and Qualifying

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing