For the fourth consecutive race weekend, Fernando Alonso failed to see the chequered flag, with the Spaniard this time getting caught up in a crash with the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen between turns two and three on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix.
The McLaren-Honda driver felt he had made a good start from his back row start, and was on the tail of Raikkonen when the Finn appeared to lose control, leaving the Spaniard nowhere to go but into the barriers, ending up on top of the Ferrari.
“I got a good start, and made up a lot of places into Turn One and Turn Two,” said Alonso. “Kimi ahead of me had started on the Prime tyre, and he exited Turn Two with a lot of wheelspin – I went to overtake him and he lost the car to the left, and that’s exactly where I was – so we both went into the wall.
“Luckily, we’re both fine. It was a strange incident, because he lost the car in fifth gear, so it must have been very low grip.”
Despite another disappointing weekend for the whole McLaren-Honda team, Alonso remains positive that the team are heading in the right direction.
“We just need teamwork to keep us going,” said Alonso. “Our expectations are clearly higher than what we’re currently achieving, but we’re moving in the right direction.
“I’m optimistic because I know our fortunes will change very soon.”
