Fernando Alonso says he will go on the attack at the start of the Korean Grand Prix which may offer his best chance of making up places.
Alonso will line up fifth on the grid following Mark Webber’s penalty and believes the long straights at the start of the lap will help him.
“I think the start is a very short space to turn one so we will do all of our attacks in turn three, turn four – there is always some action in the race,” he said.
“We will see what we can do but we know that we will struggle also tomorrow.”
Alonso has gained more places on lap one than any driver this year apart from Sergio Perez.
However he is pessimistic about his car’s performance over a race stint: “I think this weekend we are not particularly strong.”
“Also in the race pace yesterday we saw some problems in the pace. So a little bit less optimistic in terms of winning the race or podium finishes for tomorrow. But we will try our best.”
2013 Korean Grand Prix
- Hulkenberg takes second Driver of the Weekend win
- Hectic Korean Grand Prix gets above average rating
- “We punched above our weight” – Hulkenberg
- 2013 Korean Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2013 Korean Grand Prix fans’ video gallery
Image ?é?® Ferrari/Ercole Colombo
Lari (@lari)
5th October 2013, 7:46
When wouldn’t he go?
William (@william)
5th October 2013, 7:47
Not if its raining which the forecast is heavy rain from the effects of the typhoon but they will only get bits of it from the typhoon
Kribana (@krichelle)
5th October 2013, 7:53
Actually, the rain is only forecasted to be “Until race day”. Cooler temperatures follow then after this. haha
William (@william)
5th October 2013, 8:09
I heard different about the weather
kcarrey (@kcarrey)
5th October 2013, 7:58
current forecast is 30% chance of rain on race day
William (@william)
5th October 2013, 8:08
I don’t believe anything that the forecasters say anymore as they got it wrong twice in a row
kcarrey (@kcarrey)
5th October 2013, 8:16
i will keep my fingers crossed
William (@william)
5th October 2013, 8:20
Now they are saying cloudy, hazy and windy
David Bruce
5th October 2013, 7:52
Nothing like telling the others where you are going to make your move. Suspect he has a different plan.
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
5th October 2013, 7:52
Samurai to go banzai ;-) ?
Jimmy Hearn (@alebelly74)
5th October 2013, 8:17
Crazy, I was just thinkin, I bet Alonso tries to get a good start. If only others were so proactive.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
5th October 2013, 8:46
Why does this not surprise me? Fernando “obvious” Alonso speaks again ;)
Mike Dee (@mike-dee)
5th October 2013, 10:19
I am surprised. I thought Alonso would take it easy at the start, planning to fall back a few places. On the attack at the start – doesn’t sound like Alonso at all.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th October 2013, 19:16
:-)
OEL F1 (@oel-f1)
5th October 2013, 16:14
I thought he’d try a Webber
Glenn (@glennb)
5th October 2013, 9:23
Very innovative from Alonso. Attack at the start. The man is a genius. Who else would have thought to go for it from the start? [/end sarc].
Force Maikel (@force-maikel)
5th October 2013, 9:26
Sensible words form Alonso, he knows that Ferrari is fast in S1 and if he makes a good start that will be his only chance of proper racing. That is iff it stays dry of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing a certain Red Bull spinning out off the race just for the sake of making the WDC at least somewhat entertaining for the remainder of the season.
zoom (@zoomracing)
5th October 2013, 10:01
Well if you compare Alonso starts + first lap, it’s like other are not really attacking at all, lol
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
5th October 2013, 10:23
I would watch out for the Hulk. He was mighty in the first sector during qualy.
kimiFTW
5th October 2013, 18:14
I wouldn’t do that if i were u Nando
U said urself that the tires only last 5km if u attack ;)
SundarF1 (@sundarf1)
6th October 2013, 6:49
Some people just can’t resist taking a dig at Alonso eh? The main point he is trying to get across is that a good start might be the only way for him to reach the podium cos the car isn’t good enough to beat the Mercs and Vettel on merit. Oh and anyone who thinks every driver attacks at the start is being silly. True, everyone tries to get away from the grid as quickly as possible, but when it comes to the first corner, drivers will attack because they have nothing to lose, and will play safe if a crash or damage could make a big impact in the championship. Imagine Gutierrez starting P4. Will he attack and try to take the lead? No, he’ll make sure he gets through turn 1 unscathed, so that he can bring home some valuable points for Sauber. If Vettel was leading by 3 points at the last race, and Fernando was several places down the grid, do you think Seb would fight hard for the lead? The priority would be to finish the race.
In this case, the championship is almost out of reach now, so Fernando has nothing to lose, if he gets into 2nd and Vettel has a DNF, that will help. There’s no point in playing it safe and bringing home 4th or 5th because that’s not going to get him the title.