Fernando Alonso on battle with Perez: ''Lots of aggressive moves''

Fernando Alonso finished third at the Brazilian Grand Prix after an epic battle with Sergio Perez. For the first time since the race at Zandvoort, the Aston Martin driver stood on the podium. At the post-race press conference, he explained what the battle with the Mexican was like for him.

"It was intense," said the Spaniard. "For me, it was a little bit easier, let's say, until the last five laps. I thought that I had everything under control, but then when I start pushing five laps to the end, he was even closer, so I didn't understand where his pace was coming from."

Suddenly it all went quickly for the Aston Martin driver: "Two laps before the checkered flag, he overtook me. I thought everything was done by that moment, but in the last lap, I had another chance and I went for it. I'm very close to the line. Very aggressive moves, a lot of respect, and I'm happy that it was with Checo and we could put on a good show."

Boost for the whole team

So it was the first time since Zandvoort that an Aston Martin was on the podium. A good feeling for Alonso and the team: "I think the last few months, we had some difficulties on finding the pace and also with the car direction as well, but it seems that now we understood a few things on the set-up, a few things also on the car. This is for the team because they've been putting a lot of work in to understand this package, and today's result is a boost for everyone."

Eyes up again

With two races left on the calendar this season, Aston Martin are still going full steam ahead for fourth place in the constructors' championship. The two-time World Champion looks ahead to the final stages: "I think after the last two events, we were a little bit down, a little bit concerned about this final part of the season, and now we cannot wait to go to Vegas, so this is a good energy".