The Baku Qualifying was a challenge, to say the least. However, Fernando Alonso just knew how to make it to the top 10 by hook or by crook. Though he currently faces allegations of using ‘tactics’ to make it to Q2, the Spaniard denied them all. With no investigation under effect, Alonso now comfortably sits on P10.

It is highly unlikely that a driver causes a Red or Yellow flag on purpose to keep their position. However, it is never impossible and has happened quite a few times. For many fans, this is just a petty way of stopping competition, but for many, it is a part of the game and a smart move to make.

Alex Albon was on the verge of making it to Q2 when Alonso went off. Whether he would’ve made it or not is another story, but he was visibly unhappy about the situation. Frustrated, he complained on the team radio, “He needs to get penalised, this guy, he has to! This is ridiculous. He was doing it the whole lap, he was driving slowly on purpose.”

“He was so obvious how he went off the track….” However, citing a turn-15 challenger, the Spaniard was quick to brush off the ‘tactics’ narrative. He said, “I think we saw during qualifying that that corner is extremely challenging. I braked late, I could not make the corner so I took the escape road.”

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“McLaren did as well in Q2, Sebastian [Vettel] thought he could make the corner and broke the front wing. So there is a very tricky decision you need to make in a tenth of a second.” While this explanation is likely convenient for Alonso, it ultimately compromised Albon‘s lap time as he did not make it to Q2.

Where can Fernando Alonso land with a P10 start?

The Qualifying was a thriller until the end and another circuit where Red Bull and Ferrari were involved in a close-knit fight. Ultimately, Charles Leclerc managed a brilliant lap under immense pressure and snatched away the provisional pole from his teammate. This was surely not the first time Leclerc has managed to do it.

Further, Quali was great for Alonso also who did not face particular issues in Q2 or Q3. The Spaniard managed provisional pole a few times, only for the big teams to take it away on pace advantage. Amidst Oscar Piastri’s seat talks at Alpine and previous disappointing performances for Alonso, this will surely help his position.

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So what do you think? Can Alonso pull out his magic wand to somehow make it to the top 5 or even a podium?