Alonso: Demanding Canadian GP was '70 laps of qualifying'

Fernando Alonso says he went all-in in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, firing off qualifying laps all afternoon to defend his runner-up spot in the race from Lewis Hamilton.

While poleman Max Verstappen held his own at the start, Alonso lost out to Hamilton on the run into the first corner.

Thereafter, the Mercedes and Aston Martin drivers remained in close contact, even almost colliding in the pitlane after the pair had pitted under the safety car in the first part of the race.

However, on lap 22 of 70, Alonso managed to get a run on his rival with the help of DRS and overtake the Mercedes, the Spaniard eventually building a three-second cushion for himself.

But Hamilton remained in close contact and appeared to reel in the Aston in the closing stages of the race. Alonso maintained a slight gap admitting after the race that there was "no one lap where I could relax a little bit" against his fellow F1 world champion.

"I think we were hoping to challenge a little bit more the Red Bull, but we lost a place at the start with Lewis," Alonso saod as he recounted his race.

"Then it was a battle with the Mercedes and Lewis was pushing all the race so I didn't have one lap where I could relax a little bit. So, it was an amazing battle."

• 2023 Canadian Grand Prix - Race results

Although the Aston Martin displayed strong pace all throughout the race, Alonso felt that Hamilton's Mercedes performed better as the laps unfolded.

Aston also instructed its driver to ease off during the final part of the race, although it was unclear if that request was rooted in fuel consumption or brake concerns.

"At the beginning, I had a little bit more pace. At the end, I think Lewis had a little bit more pace. I was tough," he added.

"It was a very demanding race, all 70 laps of qualifying today. I felt the car was OK. But I was just following the instructions.

"So hopefully, that means that we have a little bit more pace. So next one, putting more pressure on Max."

Aston Martin's gap to Mercedes in the Constructors' standings has now been reduced to just 13 points.

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