Alonso: We will keep fighting until the last lap

During the first training session in Abu Dhabi, Fernando Alonso gave up his seat behind the wheel of his car to Aston Martin’s reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, and the Brazilian set the second fastest time. In the second session, Alonso finished 11th and his teammate Lance Stroll 13th.

Fernando Alonso (11th): “The second practice didn’t do much for me – we were unlucky, red flags appeared on the track twice and we didn’t have time to do everything.

Training is important, and this weekend is only the second session in conditions similar to those that await us in qualifying and the race. Overall, we still have some work to do, but everyone was in exactly the same position.

We will do our best to end the season well. A lot can still happen, as we saw in the previous two stages, so we will keep fighting until the last lap and then we will see what we can achieve.”

Lance walk (13th): “Although the second session was interrupted twice by red flags, we were still able to do a good job on the track. The car makes a good impression and I am happy that we have collected a lot of information.

Qualifying is important at this circuit and our aim is to reach the final session tomorrow.”

Felipe Drugovich (2nd in the first session): “It is great that I was able to show the second result in my second training this year. I really liked how it went.

At the start of the session we mainly focused on aerodynamic testing, so a sensor system was attached to the car. This meant that I had to complete laps at a steady pace so that the team could gather the necessary information to optimize the settings for the following sessions.

But then they put soft tires on the car, which made it possible to attack, and this is always the most interesting. I feel like the car is fast because after the Monza stage we made progress and I think we will start the weekend well.

My job for the next few days is to help the team, after which I will be back behind the wheel on Tuesday at the test for young drivers. A full test day is always useful, because it allows you to get into a good rhythm and push the limits of the car.”