Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has suggested that his drive to seventh in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was one of the “best races” of his career.
The McLaren driver limped back to the pitlane with punctured front and rear-right tyres after a collision with Williams rookie Sergey Sirotkin on the straight between Turns 2 and 3.
Despite suffering floor, diffuser and rear wing damage as a result of both the incident and the lap back to the pitlane, Alonso recovered to finish seventh.
“Very crazy,” said Alonso when asked to describe the race. “Another seventh place but I think it was the result of persistence and pride, because I think no one else would have reached the pitlane, first of all.
“They would have parked the car and if they could reach the pitlane they would have retired the car.
“I’m happy with the points. It was probably one of the best races that I’ve done in a long time, or the best race of my life. I reached the pit lane thanks to a miracle. I didn’t have two wheels or front wing or floor or anything.”
Alonso’s recovery ensured that he maintains a 100 percent points scoring record in 2018. After the opening four races, he is sixth in the drivers’ championship on 28 points.
Team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne, who enters his second season in F1 this year, has scored eight points. His ninth-place in Azerbaijan ensured a double-points finish for McLaren.
