Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski says his team endured a "stressful" last few laps at Losail on Sunday evening, as it feared for Fernando Alonso's third place finish amid tyre wear concerns. The closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix were marked by the front-left tyre failures that impacted the races of Valtteri Bottas, Lando Norris and both Williams drivers. It was believed at the time of the successive punctures that Losail's high-energy kerbs were taking their toll on the Pirelli tyres of those who had opted for an extended stint as part of their one-stop strategy. Both Alpine drivers had chosen such a plan, and the strategy had served them well, with Alonso and...
Full Story »