Hungarian GP: Fernando Alonso Drove A Brilliant Race

F1 Update from the iSport F1 Pitstop: Ferrari and Fernando Alonso drove a perfect race to clinch the second step of the podium in the Hungarian Grand Prix writes iSporter Gunjan Shah.

Fernando Alonso’s drive for the Scuderia till the Hungarian Grand Prix wasn’t as impressive as one expected, but In Hungary it seemed he was out to make amends; showing signs of brilliance that he once effused. While he hasn’t by any means driven badly this season, at some points in the season it did look like he was giving up too easy or not as motivated as he once was. All that changed last Sunday afternoon in Budapest, as it took all he had to keep the menacingly quick RB6 of Sebastian Vettel at bay for over 30 laps at the Hungaroring; the same circuit where he secured his first ever win 7 seasons back.

Coming at the back of a whole load of criticism for events that transpired at the German GP last week, the Oviedo-native remained unmoved and instead chose to let his driving do the talking. It was clear over the Friday and Saturday practice sessions and Qualifying, that the Red Bulls were untouchable. Third and fourth place finishes seemed realistic for the Italian squad. However, Alonso pointed out that the start could prove to be crucial; and he maybe had an advantage over Weber who was starting from the notoriously infamous dirty side of the Hungaroring. With the twisty circuit providing very little, if any, chances of overtaking, the start held the key.

At the start, Alonso managed to outrun eventual race-winner Mark Weber and was in 2nd place at the end of the first corner. He drove brilliantly to keep Weber behind him; the Australian having to content himself with shadowing Alonso as Vettel tore away from the rest of the pack. On lap 16, after the safety car came out on track, both Alonso and Vettel pitted, giving up the lead to Weber who chose to stay out in a bid to overtake Alonso’s Ferrari. After the pit stop, there was little Alonso could do apart from trying to keep the gap to Vettel as small as possible. After being done in by lady luck at Silverstone and Valencia, she chose to smile on him; Vettel “slept” at the restart and was handed a drive through penalty. This meant that as Vettel emerged from the pit-lane after serving his penalty, he was sandwiched between the Ferraris of Alonso and Felipe Massa.

It then took Alonso all he had to keep the menacingly quick RB6 of Vettel behind him for over 30 laps to take the chequered flag in 2nd place behind Weber. I personally believe that there are only two drivers on the present grid who could have done this; Lewis Hamilton being the other one. True, that if this was a circuit like Spa or Monza, given the difference in performance levels, Alonso would have had little chance of holding the RB6 back. But as he said, on this track, you can hold position at any speed; as long as you are fast out of the last corner and onto the start-finish straight. Unfortunately for Vettel and Red Bull, Alonso chose this day to display his talent. It took me back to memories of Imola 2005 where Alonso held off a menacingly quick Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari in his Blue-and-Yellow Renault R25 for the last 26-odd laps.

2nd place is a fitting reward then for the Spaniard; and it showed on his face as he stepped up on the podium. After a long time, we saw a genuine flicker of his good natured smile as he claimed his trophy. The competition be warned; if the F10 develops at the promised pace and Alonso holds onto this form coming out of the summer break, then we may well see him put up a determined resistance for that elusive third drivers’ championship.