Alonso took his first podium for Aston Martin in seven races in spectacular fashion by duelling with Pink Bull‘s Perez over the ultimate laps at Interlagos.
Perez handed the Spaniard in Flip 1 on the penultimate lap, however Alonso retaliated one lap later with an out of doors move into Flip 4.
He then barely held on in a drag race to the end line, with Perez passing him proper after the chequered flag, the distinction being 0.053s on the line.
Alonso admitted he thought his podium was misplaced when Perez steamed previous on Lap 70 of 71, however defined {that a} late braking manoeuvre by Perez in Flip 1 opened up a possibility for him into Flip 4 on the ultimate lap.
“For me, it was like 30 laps that I had the strain from Checo however when he handed me two laps to the top, I assumed: ‘Okay, that is gone, the rostrum shouldn’t be potential anymore’.
“However he braked a bit late into [Turn] 1 and I stated : ‘Okay, I am going for it into [Turn] 4.'”
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23
The rostrum, backed up by fifth for Lance Stroll, was a beneficiant reward for Aston Martin following a torrid post-summer droop, which noticed it fall from third to fifth within the constructors’ championship.
Alonso subsequently devoted his “phenomenal” outcome to everybody within the Silverstone manufacturing unit making an attempt to salvage the crew’s 2023 season.
“This can be a phenomenal outcome for the crew,” he added. “We have been struggling for a few months already, particularly the final two occasions with two retirements.
“So, this podium is for them, for everybody within the manufacturing unit and we hold preventing till the final lap.
“Clearly, we’re nonetheless studying concerning the automobile, these automobiles are so advanced aerodynamically.
“We have been experimenting slightly bit to search out the route for subsequent yr with out forgetting that we’re nonetheless competing this yr. So, I am completely happy for the outcome.”
