Alonso: McLaren 'lacking ambition' after not going for fastest lap

  • Published on 01 Oct 2018 15:30
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso says that McLaren currently lacks ambition after he wasn't allowed to go for the fastest lap of the race in Sochi. The Spaniard was running well outside the points and wanted to pit late on for a fresh set of tyres and go for the fastest lap.

However, McLaren denied his request, and he crossed the line in P14. Alsono will be leaving the team, and indeed, Formula 1 at the end of the year but the 37-year-old says that the team should be more open and motivated going forward.

"Yes, when you are P14/15 it is good for the team, good for the guys working flat out every day, good for the sponsors and partners. But we were lacking ambition I think today," he said when questioned about going for the fastest lap.

McLaren had another tough weekend in Russian after claiming a seventh-place finish in Singapore. Alonso stated that the team simply didn't have the pace to compete, and is hoping it can produce a stronger result in Japan this weekend.

"It was quite a long race,'' he said. "We stopped on lap 4/5 to try to undercut some people. All of them had one set of yellow tires, we had two. The yellow tire for the whole race with no issues, and that did not come out as we expected. Overall we did not have the pace, as we said before the race. Nothing we can do now, so thinking of Japan and maybe we can score some points there.''

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • I mean, what did they have to lose on giving him that one lap? I realize this is Alonso again prioritizing himself over the team, but the team didnt have anything but a pointless position to win on not letting him go for it. And its his final year, surely you coulda given the fella this one, McLiaren?

    • + 0
    • Oct 1 2018 - 17:14
  • kngrthr

    Posts: 203

    F1 seems to be about saving everything these days. engines, gear boxes, tyres.

    maybe they were saving wear on the wheel guns or the clutch.

    personally i would have gone for fastest lap and pit stop.

    • + 0
    • Oct 2 2018 - 00:57

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 371
  • Podiums 5
  • Grand Prix 127
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (41)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar