Stefano Domenicali believes Fernando Alonso could have won the Bahrain GP – Formula 1 news
Ferrari team principal, Stefano Domenicali has said that their driver, Fernando Alonso could have won the 2013 Bahrain Grand Prix if he hadn’t faced an issue in his car’s DRS.
Alonso seemed strong throughout the practice sessions and managed to secure third grid position for the race after delivering an amazing performance in the qualifying at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. But, unfortunately he failed to maximise his competitive grid position and could only score four points in the race with his 8th place finish because his DRS stuck open in the opening laps.
Although, he took two pit stops in the first ten laps to get his DRS wing fixed, but remained unable to use it to overtake his opponents throughout the race. Nevertheless, the Spaniard efficiently limited the damage for his team.
On the other hand, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing delivered an amazing performance and claimed an incredible victory after setting off from second grid position.
Domenicali has said that Vettel performed impressively well in the race and managed his tyres really well. However, he asserted that the 31-year-old could have done a very good race if he hadn’t encountered with the DRS issue.
“Honestly, Sebastian did a very good race but he was alone, he was able to control pace,” Domenicali said. “We know that when you have this kind of situation you are managing tyres the best way that you can, we saw that at last race on our side. Honestly I think that for sure for Fernando we could have done very good race. I don't want to say we were able to win because it's easy to say that in words but theoretically I think it was possible. If you at least look at lap times with no DRS you clearly understand that it was possible.”
Nonetheless, he expressed that they are not feeling disappointed by their hard luck in the last race and are positively looking forward to come up stronger in the season ahead. Besides, he said that their main focus is to make some necessary developments in their car to improve its reliability.
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