What a difference six days make
Just six days ago in Imola, Fernando Alonso called himself “the unluckiest driver in the world.” Less than a week later, during qualifying for the Monaco GP, the Spaniard’s mood is quite different—and for once, luck was on his side. Thanks to his immense talent, the veteran from Oviedo made it into Q3 and even set a brilliant seventh-fastest time, while his teammate Lance Stroll once again watched the decisive phase of qualifying from the garage.
An extra boost for Alonso came from the penalty handed to Lewis Hamilton, who was found guilty by the stewards of impeding Max Verstappen during Q1. The three-place grid drop for the Ferrari driver opened the door for the two-time world champion to move up into the third row. However, Alonso’s mind is already focused on tomorrow’s GP, filled with both curiosity and concern over how the strategy will unfold with two mandatory pit stops.
Strategy or lottery?
“Will it be a lottery? A bit, yes. I expect a very different race. Honestly, I preferred the old Monaco, where if you started seventh [sixth, editor’s note] you knew you’d finish seventh,” Alonso joked in an interview with Sky Sport F1. Continuing his analysis, the Aston Martin driver pointed out the many possible strategic gambles in this race: “Everyone starting outside the top 10 will try something unusual, hoping for a Safety Car, a red flag or something that can help them,” he noted. “This will create a lot of stress for us in the top 10.” Being reactive—and once again, lucky—will be essential.
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