Fernando Alonso recalls the fight against Michael Schumacher from 2005 while defending against Sergio Perez in F1 Brazil GP.
It was hard defence from Aston Martin’s Alonso against Red Bull’s Perez in F1 Brazil GP in the closing stages where he lost third to the Mexican only to regain it on the final lap and keep it by 0.053s margin over the line when the chequered fell.
It wasn’t easy like before when there was no DRS as Alonso recalled about the his defence against Schumacher in 2005 at Imola where he managed to hold the German off by 0.215s for the San Marino GP win in his Renault against Schumacher’s Ferrari.
Alonso notes it was slightly easier back then indeed with no DRS and tyres running out differently. But he agrees that DRS now helps to regain places too if lost. “It was easier in 2005 because it was non-DRS. So that was probably easier,” he said. “Now with the DRS, it seems a little bit different and you have to play things a little bit differently as well.
“And tyre management is also very different than back then, where you can maybe push the tyre all the way. If in 2005 you lose the position, then it’s bye bye, you cannot recover and here I had another chance. It has been introduced to provide a little bit better show and Brazil is a good example of that because you get overtaken two laps from the end and then you have another chance, especially here in Brazil.
“We saw in sprint as well, when there is an overtaking done into Turn 1, there is a possibility – a strong possibility – that into Turn 4 someone will get the position back. So that’s why we see some very nice battles in races always in Interlagos. It has been a spectacular weekend, as always here in Brazil.
“Sometimes it’s the weather providing this great show and I think this weekend without any rain or any weather we saw incredible races. So there is something in this track that always give a perfect opportunity for Formula 1 to shine and it was nice,” summed up Alonso, as both their team bosses had praise for their drivers too.
Much more for Perez who has been struggling off-late. “I thought he drove brilliantly well,” said Horner. “He had a little bit of a wobble at Turn 2, which allowed Fernando, who was pretty quick on the straights today, to have a go. He did his best to hang on to it though. But I think for Checo to outscore Lewis by 12 points this weekend, it’s been a very strong weekend for him.
“A third in the sprint, fourth from ninth on the grid with the yellow flag he got in qualifying, I think there’s been very good points for him. I think he’s focusing more on the basics. And I think that’s coming together for him. I think it was important for his confidence. This is the Checo that we know, and we know what he is capable of.”
Here’s the fight between Alonso and Perez: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/video.2023-sao-paulo-grand-prix-alonso-just-beats-perez-to-the-line-after-thrilling-battle-for-p3.1781753269483100530.html
Here’s Max Verstappen and Lando Norris on their mini fight
Here’s details on Haas’ right to review where Red Bull has been summoned
Here’s Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso on P3 battle
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