Fernando Alonso rarely talks about statistics but second place in Abu Dhabi gave him an uncommon reason to be happy.
When asked if finishing on the podium today erased some of the memories of narrowly missing out on the Drivers’ Championship last year, Alonso said it was not case – but went on to explain that he does have a special reason to be happy with the result today. “I don’t think that we were thinking about last year when we came here,” said Alonso in the official FIA press conference.
“It doesn’t change the feeling of last year when we lost the championship at the last moment, to be on the podium today. As I said on Thursday, what makes this podium special is that I think I have 73 podiums now, so 73 trophies in Formula One. I have them from all the circuits that I have raced on in Formula One, so Magny-Cours, Indianapolis etc., circuits which we are not racing on now. And I missed only one at home, and that was Abu Dhabi, because in the three years, I have never been on the podium. So now I have completed all the circuits. So, happy.”
Strictly speaking, Fernando’s recollection is not entirely accurate, as he participated twice in the Austrian Grand Prix and failed to get onto the podium, however he is correct in saying that he has a trophy from every F1 race which he has finished, as his races at the A1 Ring in 2001 for Minardi and 2003 with Renault both ended in a DNF.
Fernando’s victories take in Sakhir, Albert Park, Sepang, Shanghai, Barcelona, Imola, Monaco, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Silverstone, the Nürburgring, Magny-Cours, Hockenheim, the Hungaroring, Monza, Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit, Suzuka and the Korea International Circuit. He’s supplemented that with second place at Istanbul Park, on the Valencia Street Circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, Indianapolis and Interlagos. Third last time out in India kept the run going and second place here completes his set.
“Next year, we go to Austin and the year after to Russia, so there will always be new challenges to tackle and objectives to reach even if, obviously, the main one is always to win the title,” he added. “It’s clear what will be the objective for me and all the team next year: winning the title.”