Alonso “almost 100” percent with F1 comeback after a “nice” Styrian qualifying

Fernando Alonso believes that after a “nice” qualifying for the Styrian Grand Prix he now has “almost 100” percent on his F1 comeback.

At the end of Q2, after being informed that he had reached the top 10 shootout, Alonso declared his lap “nice” and that it didn’t matter where he ended up in Q3.

Article continues under video

As it turned out, the two-time champion qualified for ninth place, although he will now start in eighth place after AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda received a three-place penalty for interfering with Mercedes-Valtteri Bottas in Q3.

When asked whether he was at a level where he has now reached his maximum, Alonso replied: “I don’t know if I’m 100 percent now. Every lap you learn something new and would like to have more days.

“But I’m definitely better than at the beginning of the year in terms of understanding tires, understanding the car, optimizing the set-up, things that are a little different with this team.

“Close to 100, let’s say, and the last three weekends were in Q3, in the points” [in Baku and France], so come there.

“It’s a good dynamic where we are right now and everything seems to be going in the right direction on my side of the garage so I’m happy with that.”

Adding why his qualifying performance was so good, Alonso added: “It was fun today. I really enjoy driving the car.

“At the beginning of the year I already enjoyed fighting a little.

“But as I said in Baku, the general opinion was a bit more negative than it actually was. I was never too far away and in a couple of races I was only behind Esteban’s rear wing [Ocon].

“It wasn’t the impression people got, but I think I’m changing that impression now.

“So I’m very happy, I have fun, on and off the track. There is a very good spirit in the team and I have a good time.”