Alonso back to the podium in Brazil? 'Only with a perfect race'

Fernando Alonso had a hugely strong start to the 2023 season, with a heap of podium finishes. However, Aston Martin's form got worse and worse as the season progressed. In Brazil, the Spaniard will start at the far front of the field for the first time in a long time and according to Alonso, a podium finish is possible.

Alonso had to start the sprint race at the back of the field after a notable incident with Esteban Ocon in qualifying for the sprint race. However, the Aston Martin driver did manage to fight his way to the front in the sprint. "It was a fun race, a lot of action, a lot of wheel-to-wheel racing, it was good fun. Unfortunately no points but we had a lot of pace today so it's a good sign for tomorrow [Sunday]," Alonso started opposite F1TV.

In qualifying on Friday, the Aston Martin team did excellent business. The British team hold the entire second row of the grid behind Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Alonso qualified fourth, behind his teammate Lance Stroll. The Spaniard was last on the podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August but now thinks he has another chance.

"I think that could be possible if we execute a perfect race. I think Mercedes are still very fast and Lando as well, so they will catch us eventually but we will try to execute a good race with no mistakes. If it's a podium, fantastic! If it's a top, five we take it," Alonso concluded.