F1 | Alonso after his expert and brilliant defense from Hamilton: "I had the pace to win the race probably, but I take the P4, it is my best result of the year"
The exciting battle for fourth place between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton was a blast from the past. Nine world titles between them, the Spaniard and the Englishman put all their experience to bear, both in attacking and defensive maneuvers.
Last week's battle for provisional fourth place in the Hungarian Grand Prix, between 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and 2-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, was certainly the most exciting of the whole weekend.
Ocon's teammate managed to make some unexpected magic with his Alpine and helped his teammate win the Grand Prix, after he slowed down the comeback of the British driver in the Mercedes. He did it with a spectacular, correct defense, making the most of the track until, after strenuous resistance, he had to concede the place.
Compatriot Carlos Sainz, in a Ferrari, did not contest as long as he did, penalised by his car and older tyres.
This. Was. AMAZING.
— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) August 1, 2021
Two of the greatest, @alo_oficial vs @LewisHamilton. Stunning racing 🙌#HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/6aJILTKJm9
“I thought honestly that I could not hold him more than one or two laps," - Fernando Alonso stated - "But on the last couple of corners, he seemed to struggle a little bit to follow me. Then it was enough to open a gap on the straight and defend."
“I think he learned a couple of different lines in the last three corners after the 10 laps behind me. He was able to pass Carlos just in one lap, applying those new lines.”
Alonso's stamina was necessary for his teammate to win, and it is therefore also thanks to him that Formula 1 can now count on a new winner.
“The team didn't tell me anything. [But] I knew that every lap I could hold him behind, that was gold for Esteban's win.”
“I was lucky not to finish my race in Turn 1, like some of the people did. We take this top five - it is my best result of the year," he explained talking about his P4 following Vettel's penalty.
“It was not a gift because I have to fight every single lap for every single position. I'm proud of my race and 'Driver of the Day' probably shows that.”
“I had the pace to win the race probably, or that's what it seems when you see the race trace. [After closing the gap to Sainz], I was so convinced about the podium," he added.
“I was setting the fastest laps of the race, and I thought I will overtake them, and I will try to win the race. That was my mind in that moment.
“Then I started realising that maybe winning the race was not possible. It was not enough based on the strength, especially when the straight-line speed was lacking.
“I started thinking at that time that if I was right behind Carlos with the DRS, I could protect myself from Hamilton, and just finish fourth,” the Spaniard concluded.
