Can Alonso beat Perez this year? This is what the Spaniard himself says!

Only nine points currently separate Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso in the championship standings. The latter is getting closer and closer to second place, which could make him Max Verstappen 's main challenger. Whether Alonso will really make that move? He does not doubt that.

Fernando Alonso is a man of few words. After his podium finish in Montreal, the Spaniard was asked whether he expects to beat Perez this season? To that, the two-time world champion did not have to think long and the answer was equally clear: "Yes!"

More speed at Red Bull Ring?

In Austria, Alonso could jump over Perez, but whether it will happen there already? The Aston Martin driver is holding back a little. "Yeah, Austria, yeah, let’s see," the two-time champion said at the press conference after the Canadian Grand Prix. "I think the sprint weekend will not be ideal for us. We still have more time maybe of free practice with our new upgraded car. We still need to understand and optimise the package a little bit and in Austria, obviously with the sprint, we will have only FP1 to do that."

With the speed the Aston Martin has in Alonso's hands, there is hope that the Spielberg circuit suits the English team as well. "The circuit will be good and maybe better for the package as well, this one with a strange layout, let’s say."

Moreover, Alonso sees yet another competitor for the Red Bull Ring. "Maybe good for Ferrari, historically here as well with a long straight and short corners so maybe Austria we have a little bit more pace."