Fernando Alonso was elated after his second-place finish in Monaco last Sunday. However, if there was someone happier than the Spaniard, it was Aston Martin engineer Matt Watson. In fact, he was so happy that he decided to gulp down a huge portion of the champagne, from the bottle that Alonso won.
Besides Max Verstappen’s dominance, 2023 has been the year of Aston Martin and Alonso. The Oviedo-born driver is finally fighting at the front of the grid again and has been on the podium in five out of six races.
Smells like another podium for Fernando Alonso… pic.twitter.com/esN33jBuyK
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 28, 2023
His great form continued after another podium in Monte Carlo. This time, he went one better on his previous results by finishing P2 for the first time this campaign. Alonso could have been within a shot of winning the race yesterday. Regardless, he was very happy with how the entire weekend unfolded, and so were his engineers.
Fernando Alonso and his race engineers celebrate in style
Like always, the grandeur of standing on the podium in Monaco was a sight to behold. Winner Max Verstappen celebrated with Alonso and Frenchman Esteban Ocon, spraying champagne on each other. However, when Alonso was done with his celebrations involving his two peers, he returned to his team members.
That was a rollercoaster
Next one 🔜 🇪🇸 @AstonMartinF1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/dpqohBqbyh
— Matt Watson (@MattWatson225) May 28, 2023
That is when Matt Watson, a member of Aston Martin’s engineering team, decided to gulp down the champagne that belonged to Alonso. This is according to Spanish media outlet Eldesmarque, which also shared a video showing Watson enjoying life in Monaco. The video for the same can be watched on their website here.
Alonso keeps his calm in a chaotic race
The 2023 Monaco GP was chaotic to say the least. Verstappen led the race from the very get go after starting on pole, and he didn’t look back. Alonso started right behind the Dutchman and was gambling on a good strategy to make his move past the Red Bull driver.
Another podium! P2 🏆 in Monaco!!!!
So happy after a difficult race, specially with the rain at the end!
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you 💚💚@AstonMartinF1 !!! pic.twitter.com/HQ4AJa26Jw— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) May 28, 2023
Unfortunately, some questionable strategy calls prevented him from making the move. But unlike others, he didn’t lose any positions. In the end, he finished P2 and didn’t blame his team at all for not providing him with a winning strategy.
Next week, Alonso will be looking to keep his good form going in his home race, as he travels to the Circuit de Catalunya for the Spanish GP.
