Alonso's first day at the Dakar: “I know I have more in my pocket”

• First day of the Dakar.
  

  Zala surprises, Sainz responds and Alonso seems to be regardless of struggling two punctures
  

Fernando Alonso assured this Sunday, after being eleventh in the first stage of his rally profession Dakar, which was conservative and didn’t pilot completely, since its technique is to keep away from errors and potential damages till the second week of the competitors. “Roughly I anticipated this rhythm. I know I have more in my pocket, however it’s not the time to take it out. If we arrive with the automobile in good situation for that week, we are going to attempt to throw a bit of more, “Alonso mentioned after assembly 15 minutes from Lithuanian Vaidotas Zala, winner of the inaugural stage of the Dakar.

The double world champion of Formulation one emphasised that their hopes are set on the second a part of the race, after the day of relaxation in Riad, when the rally is predicted to be more outlined and cleaner, with out so many automobiles, bikes and quads to advance from mid-stage onwards. “That’s the concept: to go these early levels with out doing any extra or further factor and attempt to study from the race whereas we’re in it,” he mentioned.

Glad with the Toyota

Alonso defined that “a first stage is at all times of further stress“, however that” the automobile has gone properly all through the stage “, though” there’ll by no means be an ideal day. “I cannot say that it was a stage with out issues, as a result of we have all had them, and this can be a continuing all through the rally. We have not had any fright or fright. It was what we wished: to begin with a bit of warning and with none error, “he mentioned.

The Spanish indicated that he feels very snug behind the wheel of the Toyota Hilux, the profitable automobile of the final Dakar, and famous that his teammates Nasser Al Attiyah and Giniel De Villiers, with a lot more expertise than him in the rally, they’d a lot more critical issues, particularly quite a few punctures.

The punctures are “a matter of luck”

“I assume that the tire is a matter of luck. In Morocco it occurred to me and it appeared inexperience. This time it was their flip,” Alonso mentioned.

The Spanish driver argued that from the steering wheel it’s tough to know if the stone by way of which the automobile passes is a music that may harm the automobile or is a spherical rock, in order that such a contingencies accuses them of a query of luck.

The most important downside suffered by Alonso in his Dakar debut was a navigation error – they misplaced between two and three minutes to seek out the proper manner – that compelled him to return to the route with three automobiles forward, so he needed to decelerate for a couple of minutes.

Full belief in Marc Coma

The Spaniard mentioned that at that point his co-pilot, Marc Coma, pentacampen of the Dakar on bikes, I reminded him that it occurs fairly often in raids. “It’s clear that I don’t have the capability to doubt something I do. Though at that second it’s irritating due to the warmth of the second, you understand that when the stage ends we’re at all times the ones who work finest,” he mentioned.

Alonso mentioned that Coma and l observe from “honeymoon“and that they have been in a position to type in an quick time an efficient couple to maneuver ahead every stage of the Dakar.

Relaxed with residing in a caravan

Additionally, Alonso commented that he feels snug residing in a caravan throughout the rally as a result of you’ll be able to bathe and sleep at the finish of every stage, with out having to journey to a lodge. “I like the environment right here and being close to the automobile,” he added.

He careworn that the levels require numerous psychological power due to the excessive focus they require to pay attention to numerous particulars, above the bodily put on and tear as a result of “the automobile just isn’t bodily laborious”.