F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Alonso looking forward to a good fight at Hockenheim

McLaren's Fernando Alonso is feeling fit and refreshed after a week off following a gruelling non-stop run of races in F1 and WEC.

As well as Formula 1's first-ever triple-header of three back-to-back Grand Prix weekends, Alonso also fitted in a hectic week at Le Mans in June.

But after a short break last weekend he's happy to be getting back to work again in this week's German Grand Prix, which returns to the F1 calendar after missing 2017.

“I enjoy racing at Hockenheim and have won there three times so it’s great to be back," he said. "We know this weekend won’t be an easy track for us but we’ll give it our best as always.

"The track is viewed as one of the classics," he said of the Hockenheimring. "It’s fun to drive and there are a couple of overtaking opportunities, and an extra DRS zone this year.

"Hopefully we can fight with the cars around us," he added.

McLaren's new sporting director Gil de Ferran believes that the team might enjoy an advantage over its rivals this weekend.

“Given that none of the teams have visited this circuit for two years means Friday will be a busy day on-track for us all," he said. "We [will] work hard to correlate our sim work and fine-tune our package.

"Both of our drivers have experience at this track and its revered as a real racer’s circuit."

Alonso has finished in the points in seven of the first ten races of the current season. On several occasions he has had to fight his way back through the field from a poor starting position, and admits that the team had to do better on its Saturday sessions.

“We know we need to work on our qualifying performances to give ourselves the best chance on Sunday," he said.

"We need to work hard, and do as much as possible to adapt our set-up for each of them to maximise our chances.

"But we’ve also seen that during the race we can push forward and secure points, so the aim is to achieve the same in Germany next weekend.

“The next couple of races before the summer break are on very different tracks," he added, with Hungary on the horizon at the end of the month before the hiatus.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

38 mins ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

2 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

3 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

5 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

7 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

8 hours ago