Fernando Alonso ranks Alpine victory "more special" than Le Mans success

Alpine

Alonso ranks Alpine victory "more special" than Le Mans success

Toyota won all but one race during Alonso's WEC stay

Sam Hall

Sunday 8 August 2021 14:00

Fernando Alonso has claimed Esteban Ocon's victory for Alpine at the Hungarian Grand Prix was "more special" than his successes in the World Endurance Championship.

Toyota finished one-two in seven of eight races during Alonso's time in WEC with the only exception being a disqualification for both cars at Silverstone.

Alonso and team-mates Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastian Buemi won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice in their five wins during the super season in 2018 and 2019 but ranked Alpine's one-four result in Hungary above this.

"This one is more special because it is unexpected," explained the Spaniard.

"We don't have the pace to win a race and you need very special circumstances. Those circumstances were there and the luck was on our side."

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Alonso had played a crucial role in Ocon's victory, holding off championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the latter stages to halt his charge.

Asked how it felt to be a part of the win, he said: "It feels ok. Probably the last time was at Toyota where we were team-mates, we were winning with the Toyota #7 and Toyota #8."

Hungary a "lucky place" for Enstone outfit

With his victory, Ocon became the fifth driver to secure his first F1 victory at the Hungaroring after Damon Hil, Jenson Button, Heikki Kovalainen and Alonso himself.

The two-time champion became the then-youngest winner in F1 with the same Enstone outfit under the Renault name in 2003.

"[I am] very, very happy for them, a lot of smiles on everybody's faces and also for Esteban," added Alonso.

"When you are young and you win an F1 grand prix, you will stay forever as a grand prix winner.

"This happened in Hungary, same as in 2003 for me so this place is a lucky place for our team so happy for that."