“Announce Alonso world champion,” Twitter erupts as Fernando Alonso tops the timesheets in FP2 of the Bahrain GP

Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets in FP2 of the Bahrain GP, ahead of the Red Bulls. He was also second in FP1 - and fans are all aboard the hype train.

“Announce Alonso world champion,” Twitter erupts as Fernando Alonso tops the timesheets in FP2 of the Bahrain GP

Fernando Alonso

There are only two words on every Formula 1 fan’s tongue today: EL PLAN. From their (and his) performance in the practice sessions, it does seem that Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin has worked out. After pre-season testing, pretty much everyone has put them to be the best of the rest – some even think they’ll be better than Mercedes. Of course, it’s a possibility that the other teams are sandbagging.

Whatever it is, Aston Martin are looking GOOD. While Lance Stroll is racing with injured hands, Alonso has been rapid. He was second in the first practice session, and topped the second one, sending fans into raptures. Practice sessions are not always representative, of course, but the fact is that at least FP2 took place at the same time as qualifying and the race will. This means teams did their qualifying simulations here. Still, they may turn down engine modes or use more fuel.

There’s no real way to know, right now, just how good Aston Martin will be during the race. One thing we can almost say for sure: That they won’t be better than Red Bull, but it’s being told that they can compete for the podium. Considering that they were seventh last season, level on points with Alfa Romeo, them potentially being in with a shout for a podium is incredible progress. Even if they are fourth best, it’ll still be impressive. But the real story of the day is: Alonso may finally be back in a competitive car.

Read More: WATCH: Fernando Alonso showcases his sheer neck strength by breaking a nut with it in a resurfaced video

Fans are all aboard the Fernando Alonso ‘hypetrain’

Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso topped the second practice session, leading a top three of Max Verstappen (+0.169 seconds) and Sergio Perez (+0.171 seconds). This would’ve been enough to excite the ‘hype train’ if it was just a one-off, but it seems like it isn’t. It seems that Alonso’s faith in Aston Martin was warranted, despite many people seeing him moving there from Alpine as a ‘downgrade’. To be fair, Alpine seem confident as well.

The fact that they’ve made so much progress already is encouraging, and the fact that they could compete for podiums is incredibly exciting. Closer title (and midfield) battles are good for the sport. Fans certainly seem to be loving the sight of Alonso on top of the timesheets, and yes, most people are aware that it’s only a practice session. But it’s so hard not to be excited.

Ouch.

Fernando Alonso

https://twitter.com/nerko_fcb/status/1631681739440488448?s=20
https://twitter.com/pimmpammpum/status/1631687844023488513?s=20

The anticipation is building for the first qualifying of the year, and one of the main talking points is to see where Aston Martin (and Alonso) can end up. But really, it is where we will finally out the whole pecking order to begin the season – and the race, of course. Fans will be eagerly awaiting for qualifying to get underway, and for them to finally get a taste of how things are looking.

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