Alonso’s 45-Lap Mystery: Slowed by Phantom Problem

In a dramatic twist at the Canadian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso demonstrated extraordinary composure and race craft, securing a hard-fought second-place finish despite spending more than half the race grappling with a suspected car issue. Aston Martin’s team principal, Mike Krack, later revealed that the team had detected anomalous data suggesting a potential problem with the fuel system, prompting them to instruct Alonso to significantly reduce his pace as a precautionary measure. This unexpected challenge cast a shadow over what was otherwise a brilliant performance, raising questions about how much closer Alonso could have been to the dominant Max Verstappen.

However, in a post-race debrief, Krack confirmed that the problem they had been meticulously managing throughout the race “did not materialise in the end.” This revelation meant Alonso had effectively driven under a self-imposed handicap for much of the Grand Prix, battling not only his competitors but also the invisible threat of a non-existent mechanical failure. “The data was saying that maybe we have a problem on the fuel system,” Krack explained. “But we were not sure. So as a precaution we said the best thing is to save some fuel and to do lift-and-coast.”

The “lift-and-coast” technique, a common practice in Formula 1 for fuel saving or managing car components, involves a driver lifting off the throttle earlier than usual before a corner and coasting for a short distance before braking. While effective, it inherently sacrifices lap time, dulling a car’s raw pace. Krack found it “difficult to judge” the precise time loss per lap due to this strategy, estimating it to be “a few tenths, probably. One or two, maybe.” Over the course of 45 laps or more, these “few tenths” accumulate into a significant deficit, potentially costing Alonso several seconds over the race distance. He ultimately finished 9.5 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen, a margin that suddenly appears much narrower in light of the precautionary measures.

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Alonso’s radio messages provided a fascinating glimpse into the unfolding drama. Instructions to increase lift-and-coast began on lap 25, shortly after he executed a decisive overtake on Lewis Hamilton for second place. This timing was particularly challenging, as it meant Alonso had just secured a prime position only to be immediately asked to compromise his pace. “It was a precautionary thing,” said Krack, highlighting the team’s dilemma. “But you can choose between not finishing or arriving with a bit more. So we wanted to be safe.” The team’s decision, though frustrating for the driver, underscored their commitment to ensuring a points finish, especially given Alonso’s strong championship position.

Adding a touch of intrigue to the situation, Krack revealed that Mercedes appeared to have misinterpreted the nature of Alonso’s problem. “I think Lewis was told we had a brake problem and we looked at each other and said ‘oh, they know more about our car than we do, maybe we should speak to Mercedes’ engineers’.” This amusing anecdote highlighted the fierce competition and constant surveillance between rival teams, where even a slight change in a competitor’s pace can spark speculation and tactical adjustments. Krack, however, unequivocally confirmed that “we had no problem with brakes” on Alonso’s car, dispelling any misapprehension.

Despite the unseen challenge, Aston Martin’s performance in Canada hinted at significant progress. Krack expressed optimism that the team was closer to Red Bull on pure performance than in previous races, a boost attributed to the recent upgrades introduced to their AMR23 chassis. “I don’t know how much Max was pushing, I think we were closer than lately, but maybe if we get closer, then he pushes more. So it’s very hypothetical,” he conceded. Yet, the underlying message was clear: Aston Martin was closing the gap. “But I think we can safely say that we did not drop back in the pecking order which for us is quite important after Barcelona.” This assurance was crucial for a team aiming to solidify its position among the sport’s elite contenders, particularly after a more challenging outing in Spain.

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Fernando Alonso’s Lift-and-Coast Dilemma: A Race of Compromise

The radio exchanges between Fernando Alonso and his race engineer, Chris Cronin, paint a vivid picture of the internal struggle and strategic tightrope walk during the Canadian Grand Prix. After expertly passing Lewis Hamilton on lap 22, Alonso was expecting to press on, but a new directive soon came through. On lap 25, with Alonso clocking a 1’16.922, the message was unmistakable:

Lap: 25/70 ALO: 1’16.922
Cronin	Okay Fernando we’ll do some more lift-and-coast, more lift-and-coast.
Lap: 26/70 ALO: 1’16.979
Cronin	So that’s good on lift-and-coast, keep doing it. Hamilton is 1.6, Verstappen 3.6.
Lap: 27/70 ALO: 1’16.819
Cronin	Fernando turn the HPP button off, that’s the old ACS one. HPP button off, you turned it on one lap ago.
Alonso	Okay I think it’s done now.
Lap: 28/70 ALO: 1’17.010
Cronin	Yeah, that’s good, good.
Lap: 30/70 ALO: 1’17.295
Cronin	Okay Fernando multifunction B grey, multifunction B grey, elec position four, grey elec position four.
Lap: 31/70 ALO: 1’17.113
Cronin	Fernando we do need to keep doing the lift-and-coast please, keep doing the lift-and-coast.
Lap: 32/70 ALO: 1’17.667
Alonso	I have a little bit less deployment.
Cronin	Yeah. Copy Fernando, that is as expected, as expected.

This dialogue reveals the ongoing, often subtle, adjustments a driver makes, sometimes inadvertently, and the team’s need to correct them to manage the car’s state. Alonso’s observation about “less deployment” indicated the direct consequence of the energy-saving measures, confirming the team’s data-driven concerns.

Following his final pit stop on lap 41, the pressure intensified. Alonso was repeatedly reminded to maintain his controlled pace, even as Lewis Hamilton began to close in, sensing an opportunity. The psychological battle of having to hold back while a rival gains ground is immense for any competitive driver, let alone one of Alonso’s caliber. This period saw a heightened tension, as Alonso’s natural instincts to push for victory clashed with the team’s cautious strategy.

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Lap: 44/70 ALO: 1’16.368
Alonso	Tell me Hamilton’s pace.
Cronin	The last… same lap time as us, same lap time. You’re doing good lift-and-coast, but we need to keep doing it. Hamilton still 5.2 behind Verstappen 4.2 ahead.
Lap: 45/70 ALO: 1’16.052
Cronin	Last lap Hamilton three-tenths quicker.
Lap: 46/70 ALO: 1’15.891
Cronin	So that same lap time as both Verstappen and Hamilton.
Alonso	Okay. Tell me when lift-and-coast is okay, to stop doing it.
Lap: 47/70 ALO: 1’17.367
Cronin	Yeah, we will do. But please keep doing it now. Please keep doing it.
Alonso	Yeah, I want to win the race mate.
Cronin	Yeah, so do I. But we need to keep doing lift-and-coast.
Alonso	Yeah. I lost a second in turn nine, sorry. I will drive faster now
Cronin	Okay mate listen it was a strong tailwind there, you had a strong gust on that lap.
Lap: 49/70 ALO: 1’15.895
Cronin	So Fernando keep doing the lift-and-coast please, keep doing it, bit more in 13.

Alonso’s passionate declaration, “I want to win the race mate,” perfectly encapsulated the internal conflict. It highlighted his unwavering desire for victory, even when facing internal limitations, and the immense trust he places in his team to deliver a car capable of winning. Cronin’s empathetic but firm response, “Yeah, so do I. But we need to keep doing lift-and-coast,” underscored the high stakes and the team’s data-driven adherence to a safe strategy. The brief apology from Alonso for losing time, followed by his pledge to “drive faster now,” further illustrates the tightrope walk between following instructions and pushing the limits.

By lap 58, Hamilton was ominously within half a second, putting him in DRS range and posing a very real threat to Alonso’s second place. Despite the escalating pressure, the Aston Martin pit wall continued to insist on the cautious approach, demonstrating their unwavering belief in the data suggesting a potential failure.

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Lap: 56/70 ALO: 1’16.164
Cronin	So I know this lift-and-coast is painful, but you’re doing a really good job and we’ve still got to do it, keep doing it.
Lap: 57/70 ALO: 1’16.162
Cronin	Okay so Hamilton 1.6 behind. 13 laps, 13.
Lap: 62/70 ALO: 1’15.779
Cronin	Hamilton 1.9 behind.
Alonso	Copy. Leave it to me.
Lap: 68/70 ALO: 1’16.607
Cronin	Two more laps. Two more laps. You can go to strat six for a little pace.
Lap: 69/70 ALO: 1’15.810
Cronin	Strat five, strat five, one more lap, Hamilton 3.8.

Alonso’s terse “Copy. Leave it to me” was a classic display of his veteran confidence and determination to manage the gap to Hamilton under immense pressure, while still adhering to the team’s directives. The final laps brought some relief for Alonso. Even on the very last lap of the race, Aston Martin continued to ask Alonso to maintain control over his lap times, a testament to their cautious approach. However, by this point, Hamilton’s pace on his softer tires had begun to drop off, granting Alonso some much-needed breathing space and allowing him to secure second place.

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Lap: 70/70 ALO: 1’16.346
Cronin	We’ll have a bit more lift-and-coast on this one, bit more.
Cronin	Well done, mate. Well done. We were nursing a little problem there, but you did a great job. I think without that little problem Verstappen was do-able.
Alonso	I knew. I knew. Didn’t want to say anything.

The final exchange was particularly revealing. Cronin’s congratulations acknowledged the “little problem” and praised Alonso’s handling of it, even suggesting that without the issue, a challenge for victory against Verstappen might have been possible. Alonso’s poignant response, “I knew. I knew. Didn’t want to say anything,” spoke volumes. It revealed his profound understanding of the car’s true capabilities, his intuition that the problem wasn’t as severe as the data suggested, and his tactical silence to avoid creating uncertainty or anxiety within the team. This exchange perfectly encapsulates the unique bond and dynamic between a world-class driver and his engineering team, and the blend of human intuition and data-driven strategy that defines Formula 1. Fernando Alonso’s second-place finish in Canada was not just another podium; it was a masterclass in driving under pressure, managing uncertainty, and delivering a stellar result against unforeseen, and ultimately, non-existent odds.

More from the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix

• Norris ‘even more’ sure Canada penalty was wrong after review request fails
• McLaren seeking more than just downforce gains from major upgrade
• Winning more races won’t necessarily lead to F1 seat – Palou
• Red Bull’s testing restriction will “massively affect” 2024 car development
• Schumacher’s set-up input gives Mercedes a “super advantage” – Wolff

Browse all 2023 Canadian Grand Prix articles