Alonso: Solid Japanese GP weekend ‘one of my best’

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Fernando Alonso believes that from free practice on Friday to Sunday’s race in which he finished sixth, his Japanese GP weekend was one of his best ever although he doubted that anyone would remember it come Monday.

The Aston Martin charger, whose car benefitted from the team’s latest updates, held his own at the start in fifth position and ran as high as fourth before he concluded his day P6.

While the result was perhaps nothing to write home about, Alonso cast a positive assessment of his weekend as a whole and of his efforts in the race in particular.

“I think it was one of my best races or my best weekends,” Alonso told Sky. “I think it was very complete and very strong, very solid.

“Since free practice, to the race, maybe the best of the last year or maybe even top five of my career. But this is going to be completely anonymous, everyone will forget by tomorrow this weekend that we had.”

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Like after qualifying, Alonso felt that his position in the running order at the end of the day flattered his car’s true pace.

“I felt connected with the car. I think P5 yesterday is completely out of position and P6 today is completely out of position.

“We are definitely slower than Red Bull and Ferrari, they are maybe in another league at the moment. But I think McLaren and Mercedes, they are faster than us.

“Mercedes did experiment a little bit with a hard starting tyre today and a little bit of a bold strategy. But thanks to that, we capitalised on the position.”

Alonso is still considering his options regarding his F1 future. While repeatedly expressing his hope of continuing with Aston Martin, the Spaniard admits that Team Silverstone’s current level of performance is insufficient.

Furthermore, the availability of seats at Mercedes and Red Bull for 2025 have piqued his interest.

“I have a lot of fun, which is great to keep on racing,” he said. “I had one of my best weekends ever, I think, driving, and I’m 44 seconds behind the leader.

“It doesn’t feel attractive in the same time, so let’s see. Mercedes is behind us. So it doesn’t feel that attractive.”

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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.