Alonso hails ‘my hero’ Stroll as Aston Martin shine in Bahrain

AFP | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Fernando Alonso stormed to a spectacular 99th podium finish of his career in Sunday’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix before heaping praise on teammate Lance Stroll, describing him as “my hero”.

The 41-year-old Spaniard, a two-time world champion who took a two-year break from Formula One before returning in 2021, finished a stunning third for Aston Martin behind the Red Bulls of double world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Starting from fifth on the grid, he had a poor start, but then rolled back the years with a dazzling drive exactly 22 years after he made his Formula One debut at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. “First of all, my congrats to my team-mate Lance.

Twelve days ago, he had surgery and now he is fighting here right with everybody.

It’s amazing for the team,” said Alonso of his teammate who was sixth on Sunday.

He said it was unreal that Aston Martin, who finished 12th and 17th in last year’s Bahrain race, had produced the second fastest car at the opening race.

“It’s been a great weekend,” he said. He added that Stroll’s gutsy performance and determination to race, just two weeks after cracking both wrists and breaking a toe in a pre-season cycling accident, was inspirational.