Alonso says team misunderstanding cost him in Q3

Fernando Alonso said a misunderstanding between he and the team could potentially have cost him a higher qualifying spot than seventh at the British Grand Prix.

The Spaniard crossed the line with three seconds to spare of the Q3 session but was unable to improve on his time during his final lap.

As a result, he will start Sunday’s grand prix in P7, behind Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, but the the 40-year-old was left wondering what could have been.

Alonso said a miscommunication between he and the team meant he had drained his battery before his final lap.

“I felt it was time to deliver again, some risky laps,” Alonso told Sky Sports F1. “At the end, we misunderstood each other on the radio with the team and we didn’t know how much time was left for the final push.

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“So I crossed the line, I think, with a three-second margin but with no battery because I had emptied the battery on the previous lap.

A wet quali in the books More to come tomorrow.

P7 Fernando 1:42.116

P15 Esteban 1:45.190#BritishGP pic.twitter.com/AfOQNz6Pc7

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) July 2, 2022

“So effectively I crossed the line first, not last, on the previous lap and I think it cost me maybe fourth or fifth. But with Lewis, with George, around me I think that’s unrealistic to qualify in front of them, so I think we are more in our natural position [of] seventh, eighth.”

Alonso admitted outpacing the Mercedes could be a step too far for Alpine on Sunday but said a crash or