Alonso feels an invincible touch
World championship leader Fernando Alonso has conceded to “feeling invincible” at times this season.
Alonso currently holds a 26-point lead over nearest rival Kimi Raikonnen, with reigning world champion Michael Schumacher trailing a further eight points behind going into this weekend’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
The Renault star has enjoyed five victories this year, and been on the podium a further three occasions, leaving the Spaniard on course to become the youngest winner of Formula One’s prized crown.
Alonso, who turns 24 in 10 days’ time, certainly feels as one with his car as he draws ever closer to ending Schumacher’s five-year reign with Ferrari.
“It is very difficult to explain what you feel as a driver inside the car,” said Alonso.
“I don’t think you can ever really make people understand if they have not done it themselves.
“From the outside, the noise and the braking are what surprise people when they see Formula 1 for the first time.
“But in the car, the amazing thing is the grip and the g-forces through the corner – you find it hard to believe the car will actually go round the corner at the speed you are doing.
“There are so many different factors to make a quick car in F1, but sometimes everything is suddenly working perfectly – maybe just two laps in a whole weekend.
“And when that happens, it is an amazing feeling. It seems like there are no limits at all – you almost feel invincible.”
After pulling off a surprise second place in the British Grand Prix nine days’ ago – despite long stating his car would not be competitive at Silverstone - Alonso will again be the man to beat at a Hockenheim circuit more suited to the Renault.
With improvements to the car, Alonso is confident of at least another top-three spot, adding: “Like every weekend, we will be aiming to finish with our cars on the podium.
“More than that is difficult to predict at this stage until we have started running and seen how the balance of the car is.
“But my last two races were very strong, and I think again in Hockenheim the car will be very competitive.
“We have some new developments which will bring us a little more performance, and I think the characteristics of the circuit will suit us.
“Against that, McLaren will be very motivated to succeed at one of their home races, so we know it will be a big fight.
“We just need to do the maximum possible from the start of Friday practice to the end of the race – and take the biggest number of points that we can.”
