Red Bull and Mercedes "hard to compare" - Fernando Alonso

São Paulo Grand Prix

Red Bull and Mercedes "hard to compare" - Alonso

Alonso couldn't choose which he would prefer to drive

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 12 November 2021 14:15

Fernando Alonso believes the pace of Red Bull and Mercedes is "hard to compare" ahead of the last four races of the F1 title battle.

Mercedes begins the final sprint weekend of the season at the São Paulo Grand Prix with an advantage of just a single point after Red Bull reduced the deficit with two cars on the podium at each of the last three races.

In the drivers' standings, Max Verstappen holds a 19-point gap over Lewis Hamilton with the Mercedes seemingly struggling compared to the pace of the Red Bull in recent times.

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Two-time champion Alonso was asked which car he would wish to drive if he was in the championship battle, to which he replied: "I think each weekend has been up and down in terms of competitiveness.

"It is hard, from the outside, to really compare what they are doing. Some weekends they seem stronger - the Mercedes - sometimes the Red Bull.

"It is going to be interesting, from the outside. We would love to be in that position, we are not but at least we enjoy the fight."

Pushed for which he would drive, Alonso joked; "I don't know, I cannot say anything, the Alpine."

Alonso confident of toppling AlphaTauri

Alonso has his own battle to overcome as Alpine head to Brazil tied on points with AlphaTauri in the race for fifth in the constructors' standings with Pierre Gasly impressing again in Mexico last weekend.

The Spaniard cited having meaningful races to close the season as a positive in the contest, despite the struggles endured by his team in America and Mexico.

"It is good. It is good to have the battle because we are not fighting for the championship and we are not in a podium position or anything like that," he explained.

"So at least we have this thing with AlphaTauri for the remaining races where every point counts. I am feeling confident, it will be tight until Abu Dhabi and we will do our best."