Fernando Alonso analyzes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the shadow of 2010
On the eve of the season's final race, the experienced voice of Fernando Alonso offers a lucid analysis of the favorites and the dynamics at play. The Asturian driver for Aston Martin does not hesitate to point out the team that, in his opinion, has all the credentials to take victory at Yas Marina if the race proceeds normally 🏁.
A clear verdict on the favorites
Alonso has been unequivocal in stating that, under normal conditions, the winner should come from the McLaren team. This public acknowledgment of Woking's great form is no coincidence. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have demonstrated outstanding speed and consistency in the second half of the championship, transforming their MCL60 into a machine for racking up podiums and victories. Alonso's reflection goes beyond praise; it is a tactical recognition of the current balance of forces.
Keys to McLaren's dominance:- Technical evolution: The papaya monoplaza has shown spectacular improvement, perhaps the fastest in long-race pace.
- Pilots' consistency: Both drivers are in a state of grace, capitalizing on the car's potential at every circuit.
- Team confidence: The streak of good results has created a virtuous circle of confidence and optimal performance.
"In a race without incidents, one of the two McLaren drivers should win" - Fernando Alonso.
The echo of a historic battle
The mind of the two-time world champion cannot help but travel back in time and draw a parallel with the 2010 season. That year, the championship was also decided in Abu Dhabi in a four-way fight, although with a bitter outcome for Alonso, who was trapped behind Vitaly Petrov's Renault while Sebastian Vettel claimed the title. However, the Spaniard is quick to qualify this comparison 🕰️.
Key differences between 2010 and the present:- Dominant team: In 2010, Red Bull was clearly the best car. Today, performance is more distributed among several teams.
- Nature of the fight: The current tension focuses on the constructors' runners-up spot, not the drivers' title.
- Competitive landscape: The dynamic is more open and less predictable than thirteen years ago.
Privileged observer of the battle
Alonso's perspective in 2023 is radically different from that of 2010. Back then, he was a direct title contender who depended on a perfect strategy to overcome the fastest car. Now, from his position at Aston Martin, he analyzes the fight with the gaze of an expert observing from the outside the struggle for glory. His final comment encapsulates this wisdom: he prefers to talk about the fastest car as an analyst, not as someone who needs to beat it against the odds. This position gives him a special lucidity to evaluate McLaren's form and the intriguing season finale looming in the desert 🔍.