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Alonso, Brazil, 2012

Alonso explains iconic image after Vettel title win

Alonso, Brazil, 2012 — Photo: © LAT Images

Alonso explains iconic image after Vettel title win

The image captures the aftermath of a thrilling aftermath of the 2012 season finale

Fernando Alonso has revealed the background to the iconic image of his steely gaze after he dramatically lost the 2012 F1 world championship.

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull had the upper hand heading into the last race of the championship at Interlagos but Alonso was given a lifeline when the German collided with Bruno Senna on the opening lap.

In the fight to score a third world title, it was Vettel who superbly clinched the championship with a storming drive back through the field despite changeable weather conditions and considerable damage to his car.

Alonso was seen to be staring into space in parc fermé but the Spaniard debunked the theory it was an expression of dejection when talking to Sky Sports F1.

"I was waiting for Felipe [Massa, Alonso's team-mate at Ferrari]," he explained.

"It was 2012, we lost the championship and I wanted to just hug Felipe but Felipe was crying a lot.

"I was waiting for him but I was shocked, not because I lost the championship in those laps, shocked because Felipe was crying so much.

"We were both on the podium, I was second and Felipe was third so it was supposed to be happy, but Felipe was crying like a baby so I was curious to see what was going on. That was my reaction there."

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