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regular-article-logo Wednesday, 09 October 2024

Carlos Alcaraz support for Fernando Alonso 'mission' 

Aston Martin and Alonso have been surprise package of season so far

Reuters Melbourne Published 31.03.23, 05:12 AM
Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin (left) and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the drivers’ news conference in Melbourne on Thursday

Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin (left) and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the drivers’ news conference in Melbourne on Thursday Getty Images

Ten years after his last Formula One race win with Ferrari, twice world champion Fernando Alonso is delighting in social media-driven support back home in Spain as he chases his 33rd victory at the age of 41 with his new team Aston Martin.

Aston Martin and Alonso have been the surprise package of the season so far, with the team second in the constructor championship standings after Alonso’s consecutive podiums in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

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Spanish athletes and fans have jumped on the bandwagon, with ‘33’ becoming a meme on social media.

Men’s world No.1 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz showed his support by scribbling “33? Soon” with a marker on the lens of a TV camera after winning a match at the current Miami Open.

“It’s crazy to see how Spain is now so enthusiastic, again, for Formula One and for everything that is happening,” Alonso told reporters at Albert Park on Thursday ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. “So, you know, this is very, very nice to see.

“And hopefully I think they did enjoy these first two podiums, the whole country.

“There are a lot of 33s, all the football clubs, footballers and now tennis ... they are all doing something with 33. So, hopefully we can reach that number in terms of wins, and then we go for 34.”

Even reigning champion Max Verstappen is in Alonso’s corner, the Red Bull driver saying he would welcome more success for his rival.

“I think Fernando should have won anyway already a lot more races than he has done,” said the Dutchman.

“I think he deserves a lot more. I would be quite happy to see him win number 33. But I also, in a way, also I would like to see him win more.”

Alonso’s third-place finish at Jeddah was also his 100th career podium but the milestone was marred by controversy.

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