)
Despite being in his 20th season and 41 years old, Alonso is hungry for more success and believes that with 22 more races to go in the season, providing plenty of opportunities for victory.
Aston Martin's double world champion Fernando Alonso is feeling positive about his team's chances of future wins after a third-place finish at the Bahrain season-opener.
Despite being in his 20th season and 41 years old, Alonso is hungry for more success and believes that with 22 more races to go in the season, providing plenty of opportunities for victory.
Alonso's optimism is fueled by Aston Martin's impressive start to the season. Last year, they finished seventh in the championship, but they were suddenly second in the standings after the season-opener, beating both Ferrari and Mercedes.
"When you are P3 in race one, there are 22 (more) opportunities this season," said Alonso, referring to the possible 33rd career victory.
"You know, anything can happen in 22 races with different conditions. And, you know I will try my best to have the opportunity. Maybe we need some help."
This was a significant achievement for Aston Martin given that the team had to change 95% of the car, making it more challenging to compete against the top teams.
Alonso started fifth, but his pre-season optimism nearly fade into thin air following a crash with Canadian teammate Lance Stroll on turn four of the opening lap which forced him to drop into seventh.
Stroll went on to finish sixth despite fitness concerns following a cycling injury two weeks before the race, while Alonso fought back and passed Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz to finish third.
Alonso feels that his battles with Hamilton and Sainz may have made Red Bull's domination look bigger than it really was.
"On the final stint I had to pass Lewis and Carlos. So, all in all, I'm sure that you lose 10 or 15 seconds on all those battles,” Alonso explained.
“So, if we are 40 seconds behind the leader, we could have been maybe 20 seconds, or 30 seconds," he said.
Alonso's impressive performance in the Bahrain season-opener has sparked hope among Aston Martin fans, and they are eagerly anticipating future races.
With 22 more races to go in the season, anything can happen, and Alonso is determined to make the most of every opportunity.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)