Alonso: Seventh at Spa 'unthinkable' a few months ago

Omnisports

August 29, 2016 10:01 AM

McLaren Honda's Fernando Alonso conceded his seventh-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix was "unthinkable" just a few months ago.

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McLaren Honda's Fernando Alonso conceded his seventh-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix was "unthinkable" just a few months ago.

Alonso started from the back of the grid on Sunday but shot his way up to fourth by the time the race was red flagged 10 laps in.

The decision to stay out while others pitted proved a masterstroke by McLaren and the Spaniard, setting him up for the points finish at Spa-Francorchamps.

While he lost track position to Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez following the restart, Alonso managed to secure a valuable seventh-spot finish.

"All the bad luck we had in the weekend concentrated in good luck in the race, with the incidents we avoided," the two-time Formula One world champion reflected.

"We found ourselves in a good position in fourth, but we could not hold Sebastian, Hamilton and Perez - they were too fast.

"But I think seventh was very good for the team. Top 10 in qualifying with Jenson [Button], top 10 today - on a circuit like this, that was unthinkable a couple of months ago.

"It's good news. Last year and even a few months ago we wouldn't have been able to fight with Williams at Spa.

"We are moving in the right direction, that's for sure."

The six points moved Alonso up into 11th in the drivers' championship, level on points with compatriot Carlos Sainz. It also meant McLaren moved above Toro Rosso into sixth in the constructors' standings.

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