MADRID, 10 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (Toyota) has assured that if they maintain the “rhythm” and start “things happening” in the second week of the Dakar Rally they can “recover” several positions in the general, and explained that the last two days, after the punctures of the second stage, they have left a “good taste in the mouth”.
“We will see how hard the second week is. He said at the beginning of the Dakar that the final position was going to depend a little on the hardness of the race. In this Dakar, nothing is happening at the moment between the 'Top 5' and ' Top 6 ', so if things start to happen the second week and we are at this rate, you quickly recover two positions. If nothing happens in front, it is difficult, “he said in statements to the Spanish media after the sixth stage.
The Spaniard was this sixth time, a day in which they have gone “well again, with good feelings and good rhythm.” “We have gone fast, sixth, again in the 'Top 6'. Removing the three 'buggies' that are in front and in another league, being the third of the Toyota has been a nice surprise. I found myself well, we had problems or punctures, and these last two days have left us a good taste to go to the rest stage, “he said.
In addition, he stressed that visibility the first few days “is fundamental.” “If you have it, you are always constant to the rhythm of the leaders, and if you go too far behind and there is dust, there are many things that happen. The only day I went ahead, I had two very bad 'clients' behind: Nasser -Al-Attiyah – and Yazeed -Al Rajhi-; by letting them pass, you get in the way. I am glad to arrive at this stage of rest with four good days and another regular one. In general, we have good rhythm, we are confident and improving little by little “, said.
“At the driving level, you have different challenges, such as the different behavior of the car from beginning to end of the stage; you go out with more than 400 liters of gasoline and you end up with 30, a huge weight difference. You drive through sandy sites, in gravel, in asphalt, the level of grip is very different, you have to adapt. We have passed a bit of everything, and each of these challenges is new to me, “he explained about the development of the test in its first week.
After the incident of the second day, Alonso and his co-pilot Marc Coma have remained regular. “The first day is of contact, we had in mind to pass the first stages without any incident, with a rate of 80-70 percent to avoid mistakes, and so it was. We had a mishap in the second stage, and these days have gone much better. You never know if it's riskier to go to 70 or 90, “he said.
Thus, he said they have found “a better rhythm in the dunes.” “Marc's experience, which he always advises me, is understanding how the race is going … On the stones, the Toyota have had many problems this week, we have punctured two or three wheels on average each day, and that it's a very big penalty if you go back, “he said.
Finally, the Spaniard praised the “spectacular” performance of Carlos Sainz, leader of the general car. “There is no surprise, we know that Carlos is one of the best, if not the best, that is here. I am very happy that he is leading. Half still remains, but he has everything in his hand. When he comes out, he does first or second, and when he leaves behind, he recovers a lot of time. If he continues well and the car respects him, he is on the right track, “he concluded.