In the round-up: Fernando Alonso says he has been driving with an injured hand since crashing in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix
In brief
Alonso carrying hand injuries since Melbourne
Fernando Alonso says he has been driving with an injured hand since crashing in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix in April.
Alonso crashed in the final sector of the Albert Park circuit on his first flying lap in Q3 when his Alpine suffered hydraulic failure, denying him any engine braking and seeing him crash into the tyre wall. The double world champion says he has been coping with hand injuries from the accident ever since.
“Bones, ligaments, tendons – everything is a mess at the moment,” Alonso said. “I need two or three months. There is no surgery, nothing you can do – just rest. Unfortunately, every two weeks I have to drive. So I try to rest at home, but it will take a few months.”
Wolff not satisfied with “gifted” podiums
Toto Wolff says he and Mercedes will not be satisfied until the team are earning podiums on pace once more, rather than being “gifted” podiums.
Mercedes sit third in the constructors’ championship on 134 points – 101 behind leaders Red Bull. Mercedes have taken three podiums appearances in seven races: One for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain and two for George Russell in Australia and Spain. Wolff says he wants Mercedes to start earning top three finishes on pure merit as soon as possible.
“In the past, we had a few podiums before, but this is only when something goes wrong in the front,” Wolff said.
“At the moment, I don’t want anything gifted for us. Our team is only third on the road and that’s why the positions of fifth and sixth are where we belong to, but this is not where we want to be. If you’re inheriting a podium, that is nice – it’s good for the points long term – but I don’t want any of that. I want to be part of winning in the front and this important lessons that we learn here and is going to be the…
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