Fernando Alonso reveals 'moment of truth misunderstanding' behind shock Q2 exit

Dutch Grand Prix

Alonso reveals 'moment of truth misunderstanding' behind shock Q2 exit

Alonso will start 13th at Zandvoort

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Saturday 3 September 2022 19:10

Fernando Alonso has insisted a "misunderstanding" with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez cost him a top-10 finish in Dutch Grand Prix qualifying.

Traffic issues had plagued Zandvoort practice, with experienced drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel both summoned - and exonerated - by the FIA race stewards for impeding on Friday.

But when it really mattered for Alonso, the Alpine came across a dawdling Sergio Perez at turn nine on his final attempt in Q2 with the Spaniard eventually qualifying only 13th.

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Adamant there is pace in the Alpine package at the high-downforce venue, Alonso conceded: "It was traffic in Q2.

"I was P6, P7 in all sessions. It was the same case in Q1 and Q2 but on this second attempt, I was half a second better on the previous lap into turn nine and I had a misunderstanding with the Red Bull in front of me and we lost a lot on that lap.

"Unfortunately, we are not in Q3."

Alonso weekend "compromised"

For Alonso, the timing of the block was the worst possible, with no chance to recharge a battery and attempt another lap or pit for a fresh set of tyres.

"If it is in Q1, you have plenty of time," added Alonso. "If it is the first set in Q2 then you have another set but when it is the moment of truth, the circuit is in the best condition and you have traffic only on that lap, it is a shame.

"It is the way it is at Zandvoort. It is more difficult here. Monza is going to be a different thing with nice straights.

"Unfortunately, it happened to us today and compromised the weekend."