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Formula One F1 – Formula One – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Francois Nel
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Formula One – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – June 3, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Francois Nel
Heading into the sixth race of the season, Max Verstappen leads the Drivers’ championship standings ahead of Lewis Hamilton. With the Dutchman having the edge over Hamilton, will he change anything in regards to how he approaches the race and how he performs? Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso reckons that the answer is no.
The former Ferrari man knows a thing or two about winning titles and leading championships. And as far as the battle for the Drivers’ championship this year is concerned, Alonso reckons that Max leading Lewis will have no bearing on either drivers’ performance. He believes that it is far too early in the season for either driver to change anything and be reactive to how the standings are at the moment.
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At the drivers’ press conference ahead of the race in Baku, GPFans quoted Alonso saying, “Right now, in the sixth race, it means nothing.
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Formula One F1. Spanish Grand Prix. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with the trophy after winning the race alongside Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who finished in second place REUTERS/Albert Gea
“It will not change anything for Lewis or for Max. I am guessing if it is the last race it will change a little bit, it is better to be in front but in the sixth race, you are not thinking yet in the points.”
As for the Spaniard’s return season in F1, he knows he’ll have to step up his game. So far, teammate Esteban Ocon has outshone the ex-Ferrari driver.
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Can Fernando Alonso produce some magic in Baku?
Alonso doesn’t have great memories of this circuit. Although, that is primarily down to the fact that this is a pretty new entrant onto the calendar. The two-time world champion has a best finish of P7 in Baku; that came back in 2018, in his last year for McLaren.
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Formula One F1. Monaco Grand Prix. Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in action during practice REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
This time around, he’ll be targeting a similar performance. Alpine aren’t the best team in the mid-field. But when tracks have suited them, they have managed to demonstrate their performance.
Coming into the race, Fernando has only picked up five points from five races. He’ll want to leave Azerbaijan with his points tally in double figures. This track is known to throw up some surprises in way of results. Alonso certainly wouldn’t mind that working for him. However, he has said that this circuit is difficult for a driver.
Can the Spaniard pull out a special effort this weekend? Only time will tell.
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