Miguel A. HerguedasSpecial Envoy Jeddah

Jeddah Special Envoy

Updated Saturday, March 9, 2024-22:35

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The differences between

Fernando Alonso

and

Lance Stroll

were realized in Jeddah in a subtle but also obvious way.

It was a couple of centimeters that separated the Aston Martin drivers.

An almost imperceptible distance between the Canadian's touch against the wall at turn 22 and the two-time champion's "little kiss" to the protections at turn 9. The mistake that triggered Stroll's abandonment on the fifth lap in front of the very fast (and fortunate) correction by Alonso when there were 12 laps left until the checkered flag.

"Everything is fine," Alonso reassured his engineers over the radio.

The collision with the wall had not caused any damage to the AMR24, so it could hold the pace until the checkered flag.

Maintain that slight margin over

George Russell

, who gave no respite with his Mercedes.

It was not exactly a situation to enjoy, but Alonso knew how to sustain it in the best way.

"I wanted to keep George more than a second behind and they were very mentally demanding laps. I didn't want him to use DRS, because he would get into that game of not doing optimal laps. There you have to use the battery several times so that he doesn't overtake you and a lot of time is wasted."

As soon as he got out of the car, as usual, everything had already been organized in his head.

"It has been a demanding and stressful race, both physically and mentally," she said, before a more detailed analysis.

According to Alonso himself, the most plausible finishing position for him would have been ninth.

However, several favorable circumstances aligned.

Firstly, the loss of

Carlos Sainz

, who had recently undergone appendicitis surgery.

Then, the decision of

Lewis Hamilton

and

Lando Norris

not to stop after the

safety car

, dividing the strategy of Mercedes and Ferrari.

"We made good use of it," Fernando congratulated himself.

It was not a Saturday of euphoria, but there were reasons for some optimism.

«We return to the place we deserve»

José Mourinho

's afternoon visit

to the green garage raised the first smiles.

There was some elbowing in the

paddock

around the former Roma coach, although not as much as with

Anthony Joshua

, who just a few hours before had sent the Kingdom Arena into delirium with a KO in the second round.

The race was uphill, but it closed with 10 succulent points for

Mike Krack

's troops .

Because it should not be forgotten that Aston Martin, as in the last round of 2023, is still the fifth team on the grid.

And their encouraging training qualifying rounds are of little use, for the moment.

"After one lap we managed to warm up the tires and have them ready for qualifying, but then we returned to the place we deserve. A little behind McLaren and Mercedes. Maybe Ferrari and Red Bull are one step ahead and that will be what costs us the most achieve," confirmed the double winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"We will do the opposite"

According to Alonso's calculations, the AMR24 needs "three or four tenths" per lap to be able to rub shoulders with those at the top.

Not to question the hierarchy of

Max Verstappen

, but to fight for the podiums against

Sergio Pérez

,

Charles Leclerc

and Sainz.

These aerodynamic adjustments, more developed than those brought to the Corniche Circuit, with which to address the qualitative leap.

More developments are expected in Melbourne in two weeks.

And a little further ahead, Suzuka can set a definitive trend.

The demanding Japanese route never forgives the undecided.

«In 2023 we did not put a new part until the Canadian GP.

Now we will do the opposite.

The car is good, but it represents only a base, so we will change it throughout the World Championship," concluded Alonso.