Fernando Alonso talks about the Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso wouldn’t be at ease right now, with multiple thoughts crossing his mind about how the new MCL33 would fare at the Australian Grand Prix.

Alonso’s two weeks of testing were close to nightmarish before the afternoon session on the last day of testing bringing some respite to the wounded soldier, as he clocked the third fastest timing of the testing despite having multiple stoppages due to oil, turbo and wheel issues.

Alonso though is unperturbed by the host of issues that McLaren suffered during testing and feels that normalcy will return to Australia when all teams take to the circuit in Melbourne.

“I think more or less the teams are now capable and ready to understand and prepared for the simulator work you will face in Australia,” Alonso said.

“Definitely the setup work that you do here in Barcelona means nothing so I am not worried to lose half a day because whatever setup optimisation you do here will mean nothing for Australia. 

“It will also not mean anything for May when you come here and it’s 30 degrees.” he added.

While Alonso is not much concerned about the technical aspect of the car and the engine, he is saddened by the fact that McLaren didn’t get to test and understand the behaviour of the new Pirelli wet weather tyres.

“I think the bad weather was a big factor, especially because we could not test the wet tyres,” he said.

“Normally they do some programmes for the races and some safety car starts and things like that. It was that cold that we could not develop the wet tyre either.

“Hopefully that will not have any consequences on the first races if they are wet and the tyres behave” he concluded.