Alonso: Strong start 'crucial' to beating McLarens in French GP

Fernando Alonso says getting ahead of Lando Norris at the start of the French Grand Prix was a crucial move that allowed him to control his McLaren rival and deliver an advantage to Alpine in the Constructors' championship.

Alonso, who had qualified 7th two spots behind Norris, had feared on Saturday that the Briton would remain out of reach on race day.

But a blistering start saw the Alpine charger clock in P5 at the end of the first lap, two spots ahead of Norris, which allowed him thereafter to control his pace relative to his McLaren rival.

At the end of the day, the two drivers concluded their afternoon P6 and P7, with Alonso's advantage breaking the pre-race 81-point tie for fourth place in the Constructors' standings between Alpine and McLaren.

"The start was crucial probably to get in front of Lando," said the Spaniard.

"I think they have very similar pace, but to be in front of them in the first couple of laps was enough to control the race and to control the pace.

"We were not in a stress at any point, so it was good. Well executed race."

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As Alonso's race engineer kept him informed of the gap between himself and the McLaren pair of Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, the Spaniard mischievously encouraged his rivals to up the pace, suggesting it would ruin their tyres.

"I wish I could challenge the Mercedes in front of us or Checo, but that was not our league," he said.

"So from that moment it was just to control them [the McLarens], and if they get closer to us probably they will damage the tyres."

Beyond his productive result, Alonso's French Grand Prix was also a milestone event for the F1 veteran who has now overtaken Kimi Raikkonen as the driver who has raced the greatest number of laps in Formula 1.

Alonso's tally now stands at 18,672 laps, or 50 more than the Iceman.

"I think it was quite fun to race today," concluded the near 41-year-old. "The car was mega so it was very enjoyable to drive, and we were worried about the tyres, but they were better than expected.

"So it was a fun race!"

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