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Fernando Alonso

and

Carlos Sainz

appeared together in Montmeló during the official FIA press conference, offering an imitation of normality in this anomalous Spanish GP. On Sunday, only a thousand privileged people will be able to enjoy it live from the stands, so the atmosphere will not be at all similar to that of 2018, the last time they both stepped on this circuit together. "Having so few fans is not great news, unfortunately," admitted the Ferrari driver, obsessed with the same goal as the two-time world champion: Saturday's qualifying.

"He dreamed of red flags in turn 5," confessed Sainz, referring to the area where his followers are traditionally located. "With

Fernando's

return to the

paddock

and with my arrival at Ferrari, we would surely have packed the stands," added the Madrid native, who in his six previous participations always scored at the Circuit. Somewhat more tumultuous are the memories of Alonso, author of those memorable victories of 2006 and 2013, but also of other recent disappointments behind the wheel of a McLaren.

Now, the common goal is set on Saturday, where both must improve against

Esteban Ocon

and

Charles Leclerc

, their garage companions.

The Frenchman has just won the last two qualifying duels in Alpine and the Monegasque, a one-lap specialist, only gave up last weekend in Portimao.

The difficulty to overtake in Montmeló requires an extra effort and the minimum goal for both has to be encrypted in Q3.

"One hundred percent"

The pulse of Alpine and Ferrari against McLaren, with the occasional appearance of Toro Rosso or Aston Martin, must elucidate the winner from the middle of the grid.

But can the French team beat the

Scuderia

?

"Of course. One hundred percent," said Alonso, who opted for a much more diffuse option to draw his own options.

"Finish sixth, seventh, eleventh, sixteenth ... In sport you either win or you don't win. And now we are not in that position, as only Mercedes and Red Bull are fighting for victories. We will try to help our teams, but we are more in a constructors' battle than in an individual one, "analyzed the Spaniard, with his eyes already set on Friday's practice.

New design in 10

In Alonso's opinion, Montmeló is "a very demanding circuit, with many high-speed corners", where the integral development of the car is subjected to a litmus test.

Tire degradation, downforce management and top speed on the long straight will once again be key in this common pre-season test scenario.

In addition, this year the design of Curva 10, known as La Caixa, is released, about 10 meters wider and faster.

"Braking is anticipated a bit a bit and it will be more open, although I don't think it will change too much," predicted Sainz, much more specific in terms of the last two corners.

"I would like to try them without a

chicane

. That last section so fast would offer more opportunities for the show," confirmed the Ferrari driver.

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