Alonso goes full 'kamikaze' to secure P6 finish

©McLaren

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Fernando Alonso spared no effort to secure a P6 finish for McLaren-Honda, going 'kamikaze' to beat countryman Carlos Sainz to the checkered flag.

McLaren-Honda's hopes of achieving a top ten finish at the less power-sensitive Hungaroring panned out well, for both its drivers.

And as a bonus, Alonso, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, ended the race with the fastest lap, an achievement which surprised the double world champion himself.

"The fastest lap is a surprise no doubt. P6, we were hoping for seventh or eighth so sixth was possible and we took it," Alonso said in the paddock.

"We know there are three or four weekends where we will feel and be competitive so we need to maximise those.

"We need to capitalise on that potential and it's what we made this weekend. Sixth was the best result possible. Fastest lap is a gift and we will take it."

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On his battle with Toro Rosso's Sainz, Alonso insisted he pulled out all the stops.

"The battle with Carlos was a close-run thing. We were together at the start, at the restart after the Safety Car; we came into the pits together, we exited together and I knew I had two laps where I could really push and stress the new tyres a little bit.

"I tried to do that with some kamikaze moves at times because, after those initial two laps, I knew it was going to be impossible. It worked out fine."

Alonso sixth-place finish - his second top-10 placing this season - is his best result since last year's US Grand Prix in which he finished fifth.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.