Three weeks ago, behind the scenes of the Miami podium, a conversation between two Formula 1 champions, between two two-time champions in particular. The youngster, Max Verstappen, was joking with the veteran, Fernando Alonso.
– “Fernando, you said that I would overtake you on lap 25”, commented the Dutchman and just after the other protagonist of the ceremony, Checo Pérez, intervened.
– “And in what lap did you pass him?”, asked the Mexican.
– “I think in 13 or 14”, answered Verstappen, proud.
– “Well, in Monaco we'll see. It will be different”, closed Alonso.
Since the start of the season, specifically since he verified in Bahrain that his Aston Martin is a very fast car, Alonso has a date marked in red on his calendar: May 28, that is, this Sunday. The race in Monaco, so rare, so unique, fits perfectly with his characteristics and the characteristics of his car and, for this reason, he aspires to victory here like nowhere else. In the rest of the circuits the podium is worth it. In this piece of the French Riviera, between yachts and mountains, all he can do is win. In fact, this Thursday upon his arrival at the circuit he looked at his caution, took it and smashed it into pieces to present himself as one of the favourites.
“I would be lying if I said that I have been thinking about something other than winning. I am going to attack more than any weekend: between the walls there will be opportunities”, launched the leader of Aston Martin and added: “I do not care if it rains or not”. And yes, the forecast calls for rain on Sunday, a scenario in which anything could happen.
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In free practice this Friday, Alonso demonstrated the reason for his words with a fourth place behind Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.. In two sessions marked by accidents, as always, one of them by Sainz himself, the Aston Martin proved ready to dethrone Red Bull -Checo Pérez could only be seventh-, although all the teams kept tricks. It was the first day, it is the first European test. And also for this reason the appointment is especially important.
The cancellation of the race in Imola last week has made the teams appear in Monaco with a huge shipment of new parts and these could define a new order for the remainder of the World Cup. Although they are unpredictable on the streets of Monte Carlo, the Red Bull drivers still have a huge advantage, but behind…. Mercedes has come to the race with a practically new car, with those powerful ones, Ferrari has also introduced new features and Aston Martin has changed its car for the first time since its brilliant preseason.
The two suspensions, both the front and the rear, have been modified, which should exaggerate its good cornering, its low degradation. They have placed a new rear wing, which seeks to gain downforce behind. And they are also opening the front brake air vents, something essential on the streets of the Principality, where the demand for these parts is extremely high.. Will it be enough for Alonso's victory? The Spaniard already told Verstappen behind the scenes of the podium in Miami:
– “Well, in Monaco we'll see. It will be different.”