Melbourne: two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said he was looking for pole position at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday before a hydraulics failure caused him to crash his Alpine in the final stages of qualifying.
spanish alonso The problem was showing his car impressive speed before turning it off and driving it into a wall before completing his lap at Albert Park.
ferrari Charles Leclerc finished taking pole in front of red Bull Cars, while Alonso’s misfortune will see him start 10th on the grid on Sunday.
“The gearbox was no longer working,” Alonso said in the Albert Park paddock.
“Engine stopped too, power steering turned off. So I think that’s something we need to check when the car is back.
“It’s unbelievable how unlucky we are, because 20 seconds later, we were probably on pole if the car stopped at turn one instead of turn 11. These races are hard to explain.”
Despite the crash, Alonso, who won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, said he is enjoying his best race weekend in years.
“I think the car is getting better and better,” said the 40-year-old, who came back formula One Last season after a gap of two years.
“We feel more confident. The team is working hard.
“Perhaps (it was) a surprise to fight for the pole but not a surprise to be getting closer and closer to the leaders.
“It’s been the best weekend for me in years, and it’s very disappointing not to finally execute.”
spanish alonso The problem was showing his car impressive speed before turning it off and driving it into a wall before completing his lap at Albert Park.
ferrari Charles Leclerc finished taking pole in front of red Bull Cars, while Alonso’s misfortune will see him start 10th on the grid on Sunday.
“The gearbox was no longer working,” Alonso said in the Albert Park paddock.
“Engine stopped too, power steering turned off. So I think that’s something we need to check when the car is back.
“It’s unbelievable how unlucky we are, because 20 seconds later, we were probably on pole if the car stopped at turn one instead of turn 11. These races are hard to explain.”
Despite the crash, Alonso, who won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, said he is enjoying his best race weekend in years.
“I think the car is getting better and better,” said the 40-year-old, who came back formula One Last season after a gap of two years.
“We feel more confident. The team is working hard.
“Perhaps (it was) a surprise to fight for the pole but not a surprise to be getting closer and closer to the leaders.
“It’s been the best weekend for me in years, and it’s very disappointing not to finally execute.”