Alonso: "A small miracle" to lead the championship
As there are only six Grand Prix races left to go, Fernando Alonso considers himself somewhat lucky to be so well positioned in the championship and looks ahead to the upcoming challenges with measured optimism.
Fernando Alonso arrives in Suzuka leading the Formula 1 World Championship with a 29-point advantage over Sebastian Vettel, making him the favorite to succeed the German in the F1 rankings. Since his victory in Valencia, in front of his fans, the Spaniard has held onto the top spot in the standings. While many predicted a disastrous season for the Scuderia, Alonso managed to save the day at the beginning of the season and seized every opportunity to score important points. For the Asturian driver, the current situation is a small miracle.
« It’s a small miracle that we are in first position. We weren’t on the same level with our car compared to our opponents, especially during the first six or seven races where we were out of Q3 or trailing by 1.5 seconds. So it’s a small gift to be leading the championship since halfway through the season. Now the car has improved, we are regularly on the podium, and we are able to keep the distance, » analyzes the Ferrari driver.
Keeping the distance, that is not going to be easy given the raw performances displayed by the competition. After a chaotic start to the season, the McLaren is now the fastest car on the grid, and Vettel, in his Red Bull, should not be overlooked either.
« We will see what happens by the end of the championship. If we can fight for the championship and win it, then we will do so. We will do our utmost. We have had more or less 14 perfect races so far. We cannot make any mistakes in the last six races. »
Competition can no longer afford the slightest misstep either. Without the alternator problems encountered on his machine, Vettel would undoubtedly be ahead of the Spaniard in the championship, and Hamilton had to abandon his dreams of victory in Singapore when he seemed to be untouchable. As we enter the final stretch, everything is still possible for the championship. Will Vettel become the youngest triple world champion in history or will he leave this honor to Alonso? Will Hamilton take the number 1 spot at Mercedes? Just a few more weeks before we know the outcome of this 2012 season.
