Fernando Alonso questions lack of respect after Carlos Sainz Monaco glory - 'It was a funeral when I was P2'

Alonso, Leclerc and Sainz at Monaco — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

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Alonso questions lack of respect after Sainz Monaco glory - 'It was a funeral when I was P2'

Alonso believes his podium haul was underappreciated

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Monday 24 May 2021 15:30

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Fernando Alonso does not believe he was shown the respect he deserved for his F1 podiums with Ferrari, underlined by the response to fellow countryman Carlos Sainz's second place in Monaco.

Two-time champion Alonso has scored 32 race wins and 97 podiums in his career, with 11 of those victories and 32 additional top-three finishes during his five years with Ferrari.

Fellow Spaniard Sainz's second place was only Ferrari's fourth podium finish in the past two seasons, yet Alonso feels there was greater fanfare over that compared to his time with the Scuderia.

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“I remember five or six years ago when I was doing nine or 10 podiums a season," he said. "[If I was] second, it was a funeral in the press conference because [I was being asked] ‘When will you win?’.

“Now, I think when I see that we have 97 podiums, I think especially the last five or six years of those podiums were not taken into respect probably. We see that now."

Alonso hoping for Sainz win soon

Alonso's own Monaco GP was forgettable as he progressed up the order from P17 to P13, with his progress aided by the retirements of Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas.

Asked for his opinion on the podium result achieved by Sainz, he added: "I am very, very happy for Carlos.

"I spoke with him on the grid at the national anthem. He was already on the podium at that time because he was starting third after the Leclerc problems and with the Bottas issue, it was even better.

“So, good style of the championship as well and hopefully we can see a race win soon but we know that in a normal circuit, maybe Mercedes and Red Bull they are still in front.

“So it was an opportunity and it was taken so it was good.”