Fernando Alonso surprised his competitors during the Saudi Arabian GP by requesting an alternative plan from the Aston Martin pitwall. The two-time world champion exceeded expectations and secured a position on the second row of the race. Despite being chased by Mercedes, Alonso managed to distance himself from them. Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack commended the 42-year-old for his strategic use of team radio.
The Saudi Arabian GP appeared to be a straightforward race in terms of strategy, with most drivers only making one pitstop. However, midway through the race, Fernando Alonso approached the Aston Martin pitwall and asked for a ‘Plan B’. It was later revealed by Mike Krack that the team did not actually have an alternative plan. Alonso was simply attempting to confuse any rivals who might be listening to the team radio. With his extensive experience in Formula 1, the Spanish driver is no stranger to such mind games.
Krack described Alonso as a cunning and experienced competitor. The 42-year-old has a knack for keeping his team and rivals on their toes. Even when the team discovered Alonso’s intentions, he managed to bewilder the entire pitwall with his ‘Plan B’ strategy. Russell, who was trailing closely behind Alonso, was within the DRS range. Krack explained that Alonso needed to evaluate how to reach the end of the race while maintaining a sufficient lead over the pursuing Mercedes.
The Aston Martin team boss emphasized that Alonso outperformed Russell, and only someone like him could achieve such a feat. Krack was astonished by the gap Alonso created ahead of the Mercedes driver. The 42-year-old employed a clever approach in his battle against George Russell. While Alonso secured a respectable result for Aston Martin in Jeddah, the team may face challenges when competing against McLaren in future races. Therefore, major upgrades throughout the season will be crucial for Alonso’s team.