Formula One news

Alonso prayed for a miracle

Fernando Alonso revealed he was left praying for a miracle after he finally managed to clear both the BMWs which beat him off the line into the first corner of the Turkish Grand Prix. By that stage the Spaniard was 14 seconds behind team mate Hamilton and lapping at a similar pace in fourth.

"The start didn't go as we planned, to be overtaken by two cars and find yourself sixth in the first corner is not great and the race is a bit over at that time," Alonso said. "I was following Heidfeld for seventeen laps and it's very difficult to overtake - you need to wait for a mistake from the car in front of you, but Nick was very consistent, driving very well and I had to wait for his pit stop for the race to start."

"I just managed my pace then and waited for a miracle which only happened with Hamilton's tyre problem," he added. "Then I just drove for the podium. It's the best result we could have got from the weekend."

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• 08 Jan.
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  • De la Rosa still aiming for race seat in F1
  • A dozen parties interested in Honda
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• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
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  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
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• 02 Jan.
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  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
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• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
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  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit

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