MADRID, 27 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) has been optimistic about the start of the Formula 1 World Cup and has assured that, after doing a 57-lap simulation in the Sakhir test, the same ones that will make up the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix , they were “faster” than Ferrari.
“On the last day, for example, we did a 57-lap race simulation, which we are going to do in Bahrain. We put fuel for those 57 laps and we did the whole race with real ‘pit stops’, changing tires and so on,” he said. in a press conference in relation to the pre-season test last week.
In this sense, he stressed that the ‘Scuderia’ was also running the same race simulation on the Bahraini track. “At the same time, Ferrari was doing the same program as us. At 57 laps, with the same gasoline and the same stops and we were faster than them,” he said, unleashing applause from those present in the room.
Despite everything, the Spaniard closed the pre-season test in Bahrain with a ninth place in the time table on the third and final day on Saturday, led by the Mexican Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez (Red Bull). Among the Ferraris, Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was fourth and Carlos Sainz from Madrid finished fifth after 76 laps on the C4 tyre.
Alonso will make his debut at the controls of Aston Martin next weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will kick off the 2023 Formula 1 season. Who will accompany the two-time world champion in the British team’s box is still unknown; Canadian Lance Stroll was injured in a bicycle accident in Spain, and if he does not recover in time, Brazilian Felipe Drugovich will take his place.