Alonso: “Perfect race, we won even if we weren't the fastest”

Fernando Alonso grabbed his 79th podium and his 30th career victory in Germany which at this historical moment appears to be an economic "enemy" for Spain and Italy. However, the Ferrari Spaniard won in an authoritative manner, controlling a very nervous Sebastian Vettel without too many worries.

“It was a perfect race, we managed to win a race in which we weren't the fastest, but we demonstrated all our overall potential”, explained the championship leader. “Qualifying was important and decisive, because even though they were a tad faster it was difficult to overtake and giving us the advantage of pole was important at the start. The start was perfect, the pit stops went very well, I was worried more about Vettel, who is my main rival in the championship, than about Button". Alonso was never seriously attacked by the German from Red Bull, much less from the Englishman from McLaren, who nevertheless appeared to make considerable progress compared to the last few races. “If Button had passed me, however, it wouldn't have been a drama for the championship, as he is very far behind. With Hamilton it was different, I was pleased when he inserted himself even though he was lapped between me and Vettel, giving me a bit of an advantage, but then I didn't risk it: he was lapped and I didn't want to ruin the nose or have an accident.".

However, the victory in the end was well deserved, a masterpiece of strategy and shows that the F2012 is a mature car with plenty of possibilities to do well in all conditions. “At the beginning of February we didn't understand the car in the Jerez tests and now it's going very well”, commented the Asturian. “We have made many changes in recent months, we couldn't understand the work of the designers and so we were forced to push for development. In Maranello they worked day and night and it's incredible that after ten races we have won three GPs and are leading the championship.". Now there's Hungary, the second GP in a row in two weeks, the third in a month: a very slow track, very different from Hockenheim or Silverstone. “In Budapest it will be as good as here, I don't see why we should be pessimistic”, insisted Alonso. “With the track clear the Red Bulls were a little faster than us but I don't see any problems fighting with them at the Hungaroring too. We always said that July was an important month because there were 75 points on the table, so far we have achieved a first and a second place, we will see in Hungary how we finish the month", the Ferrari driver concluded laconically, not at all elated by the splendid victory.

Lorena Bianchi