Fernando Alonso, frustrated not to score points at Suzuka

The phrase has become famous: two years ago, Fernando Alonso was shouting against his Honda engine, calling it a GP2 engine in front of all the officials of the Japanese manufacturer. Two years later, the Spaniard knows he only has a few races left before he can finally shed the Honda products. But his appetite remains immense, and the single point from the 10th place could reward him as if it were a victory.

That’s why he was disappointed at the end of the race for not having been able to get the better of Felipe Massa’s Williams with destroyed tires: « We started 20th and finished 11th. We made a great comeback with a one-stop strategy, starting with a set of used tires. It’s a really great performance from the team overall. After the penalty on Friday night due to an engine change, I think we would have deserved that point. We fought for it! »

Indeed, Felipe Massa benefited from the few laps of respite granted by the virtual safety car caused by the retirement of his teammate, Lance Stroll. But in the very last laps of the race, the two men, in a full fight for this 10th place, got in the way of the two leaders, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. For not moving aside quickly enough, Fernando Alonso received two penalty points on his Super License.

On the contrary, Stoffel Vandoorne started from the front rows in 9th position. But the young Belgian’s race was severely compromised from the second corner when there was a collision with Kimi Räikkönen: « My afternoon was compromised right from the start when we reached the second corner. Everyone was trying to find space and I got hit by Kimi. I don’t think it was intentional. It was just two cars being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I found myself at the back and then I raced alone until the checkered flag. »

McLaren was therefore unable to offer farewell points in its last participation in the Japanese Grand Prix with a Honda engine.