Fernando Alonso was stunned by the lap that earned Max Verstappen pole position at tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix. The veteran driver, who was eliminated in Q2, described it as a “magical moment” while speaking to reporters on Saturday afternoon.
“Only he can do it, only he can do it,” Alonso told Viaplay after the Dutchman snatched pole from Lando Norris by 0.012 seconds. “I think there is no other driver at the moment that can drive a car and put it so high, or higher than the car deserves,” he continued. “I think it was a magical moment for everyone here.”
This year’s Red Bull has been so difficult to drive that Verstappen said he was surprised by the result after the session. “We tried the best we could to get the best possible balance for the car but it wasn’t easy even in qualifying, but in every session we just kept on making little improvements,” he said.
“I think that’s where we made the difference and the last lap was just flat out, I mean around here being on the limit and maybe even a bit over it at places is incredibly rewarding.” Meanwhile, Alonso will start in 13th. “I think we gave it everything on track today,” he said. “Unfortunately, maybe we don’t have the pace yet to be in Q3.”
The Spaniard has long been complimentary of the four-time world champion, who has now claimed 42 poles throughout his career. Back in 2021, it was no secret that Alonso threw his support behind Verstappen as he battled Lewis Hamilton for his first real shot at the world title
“He seems to deal with the pressure better than other people,” Alonso told reporters at the time. “Every one of us is different, but it seems that for him, it’s not a big deal. Every weekend, he takes it race-by-race. I think that’s the right approach for these remaining races.”
Verstappen has also been kind while talking about Alonso through the years. “If I wasn’t an F1 driver myself or wouldn’t have made it, I would probably support Fernando just, I like his style, how he races,” the Red Bull superstar said in a 2021 press conference.
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