By role
May 5 2003

Fernando Alonso was the man after his performance on the Montmeló track yesterday. The sport newspaper “As” was able to catch up with him for an interview. Alonso was excited about the start of the season: “I would have never thought in such a great start of the season. Not even in the best of my dreams. To come second at home, in front of my fans, fighting the Ferraris…I did not want to be awaken.”

“On the lap after the race I was really happy to be able to live something so special. During all the weekend they did not stop supporting and they deserved 200% from me on the track. The fans were my seventh gear and they deserve this result. I did not hold anything and I showed that I was hunger for a good result and to fight with the big guys. This is the dream Grand Prix becoming a reality.”

Alonso was quite happy with the car and the balance of it:

“The car has performed to perfection. The tyres have responded at all times and also I would like to outline the work of the team, we had the perfect strategy.” He added. “When I saw Rubens move on Michael I thought: “Now if they both crash I can lead and win” that wouldn’t have been bad at all.”

“Everybody says that now is time for a victory, but to be honest, the results I am getting are far from normal. It is not logical for us to be that high. Our natural position should be 7th or 8th. It should not be natural to fight Ferrari.” He then argues. “In Austria it will be harder. It will be more similar to what I did in Imola”.

Alonso thought that Trulli could also have been on the podium if not for his accident with Coulthard:

“It is a pity what happened to Trulli, I think he could have finished if not for the accident at the start of the race. It is very hard to overtake the leading teams. I fought Ralf everywhere, I pressured him and he made a mistake.”

Alonso does not plan to have a party to celebrate his result. He was due today in Oxford to start preparations for the Austrian GP in 2 weeks.