Fernando Alonso already prepared in free practice in Zandvoort for that manoeuvre for which he was ennobled by many experts in the race
Fernando Alonso revealed after the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix that he had already practised in free practice the overtaking manoeuvre with which he made racing hearts beat faster on the very first lap and which was anticipated in advance by ServusTV expert Mathias Lauda.
The two-time world champion lined up fifth on the grid at Zandvoort in his Aston Martin when the rain started just in time for the start of the race and the entire field was fitted with Pirelli slicks.
Alonso, ultimately second in the race behind Max Verstappen, squeezed past compatriot Carlos Sainz on the outside at Turn 2 before diving to the inside at Turn 3, a steep corner that has been themed as particularly challenging all weekend.
As Mercedes driver George Russell and Williams driver Alex Albon opted for a drier line further up the corner, Alonso moved to the inside and down to initially take third behind Lando Norris. He later went on to grab Norris under his own power as well.
Now Alonso says the inspiration for his double overtaking manoeuvre came from experimentation in Friday practice: “It was FT1 or FT2, it was wet, and in one of the out laps I let a couple of cars pull on the normal racing line and found a lot of grip on the inside just letting people pull.”
“So I had it in my head all weekend that it could be wet. I was ready to give it another go and to be honest: When we were on the grid and the red lights came on for the start of the race, there were a lot of drops on the visor.”
“That’s the worst feeling you can have because you’re ready to start the race with a slick and on the visor you see it’s raining. So you have no idea how much grip you’re going to have when you’re braking in turn 1 or turn 3. “
Alonso says he anticipated that everyone would be cautious through the steep corner on the first lap in the drizzle, especially as the top of the corner is bordered by painted advertising banners on the tarmac, which offer particularly little grip in the wet.
So he managed an overtaking manoeuvre that, in his opinion, deserves the title of “overtaking manoeuvre of the month”: “I thought everyone would be a bit cautious in turn 3 with the level of grip. Also, there is paint right before turn 3 so you have to be a bit careful there.”
“So I thought the inside line might work and yes, we overtook those two cars. That should definitely go against the overtaking manoeuvre of the month. At least I hope so!” he jokes.
