Fernando Alonso Red Bull still too heavy for us

Fernando Alonso summed up the weekend which earned him the fourth podium of the season…

Q: Fernando, you were so happy on stage that you even danced…
Fernando Alonso: This is how we agreed with the mechanics. But yes, I liked it, although I spent most of the race alone. There were two Red Bull cars in front of us that we can’t fight against, and there wasn’t much pressure behind them. In the end I came third. Fourth podium in five races. Good result.

Question: But still you are a little angry that you were third again, and not second or first?
Fernando Alonso: This is true. You always want to finish higher, if you get third then finish the race second or first. In Miami we had no chance of winning – Red Bull cars are faster and more reliable. But if there’s ever an opportunity, I’ll try to take it.

Q: What do you think you can impose a fight on Red Bull Racing at Imola?
Fernando Alonso: Let’s see. In Imola many will finalize the cars, including Mercedes and Ferrari. It will be interesting. We will try to get ahead of them again.

Q: What track are you most likely to win at this year?
Fernando Alonso: It is difficult to count on victories this year. The backlog is too great. Although in Miami we had the fastest race pace of the season. We finished closest to the leaders without a safety car and other incidents.

Let’s see. The season is long this year. Hopefully we’ll be closer on some tracks. Perhaps the novelties that the team is currently preparing will help. But our focus now is on maintaining the lead over Mercedes and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull is still too heavy for us.

Q: Did you like the presentation of the riders before the start in Miami?
Fernando Alonso: I understand that there are different points of view, but I am not a big fan of such pre-race ceremonies. And if we are obliged to participate in this, then something must be removed – a parade of pilots or something else. At this point it is important to prepare for the race, communicate with engineers, discuss strategy.

I also don’t think the fans in Miami are any better than the Italian fans in Imola or Spain or Mexico or Japan. I think we have to make sure everyone has the same rules and the same show for the race.