Alonso and the improvements, “they don’t have to work out for sure”

Many issues were on the table for Fernando Alonso this Thursday in Imola, from the recent loss of his longtime physiotherapist, Fabrizio Borra, to Carlos Sainz’s candidacy for FIA President. The sporting aspect was also very present, with new parts for the car for this weekend.

At this point in the initial developments, which have been delayed compared to what was initially planned, Fernando has a clear mindset and hope that can be renewed. “Look, I think every time an improvement is made to the car, the team is always optimistic, but at the same time, we’ve already learned a lot from the improvements of the last two years, in that perhaps they haven’t delivered exactly what was expected,” he initially suggested. 

“Now we go into tomorrow’s practice with a very open mind. I think the two cars will have different packages. We’ll meet on Friday night to review all the data and decide what to do on Saturday. I don’t think there’s any pressure to thoroughly analyze the new package, because they don’t necessarily have to deliver results, and we’ll have to integrate them into the car, no matter what. We’re very relaxed about it and will give it the necessary time before presenting it in the race and making sure 100% that it’s a faster car than the current one,” Fernando stated.

As for whether it will be Lance Stroll or himself who will test the new one first, he noted: “I read when I arrived at the track that Lance will be doing it (the new one), but I arrived 10 minutes ago, so this is my first activity, but I read about it this morning. Now we’ll meet and find out,” he said with a shrug. 

IEachdriver will be using a different car in FP1, and by the second free practice session, both drivers will already have the new package. There’s some confidence that the final stretch in the new tunnel will start to yield positive results for the Silverstone car. And that could mean further improvements throughout the summer.

With Fabri in memory

Regarding one of the pillars of his sporting career, Fabrizio Borra, and his recent loss, Alonso wanted to pay tribute to him. 

“It’s been a difficult week, difficult days, I think, for everyone who worked with me for so many years. I started with Fabrizio in 2001, here at Minardi (20 km from Imola), and after 24 years together, we’ve done a lot of things together, experimented, and traveled around the world 24 times,” he recalls. 

“Yes, it’s been very sad, but at the same time, I think he was a man of strength and dedication who excelled in all disciplines. A man who worked for Pantani in cycling and other great cyclists, worked for some programs and television personalities in Italy, also for some athletes here in Italy at the Olympic level, and yes, in general, I think in all sports, he knew how to contribute something extra to the athlete and the community. Well, it’s sad, but I think he will be remembered, and that’s very important for someone who dedicates his entire life to sports, and yes, he will be remembered,” Fernando said of his friend