Alonso 'frustrated': 'We want to higher on the podium now'

The Spaniard was congratulated at the press conference for his performance, but was also asked if frustration is starting to set in that it is yet another third-place finish. He responded, albeit with a slight wink: "It is! It is. Obviously, we want to step on step higher on the podium for P2 and eventually one day we have an opportunity to win a race"

Red Bull is stronger

But the Aston Martin driver is also currently facing a team that is unbeatable: "But at the moment it didn’t happen because Red Bull is better than us. It’s stronger, it’s faster and the reliability has been always outstanding for them as well, finishing both cars in every race. So, yeah, if one day there is a crack there, if there is an opportunity, we need to make sure we are in that position and we’re still not making mistakes at any point in the weekend."

As to whether there will be any time when Aston Martin can catch up with Red Bull, Alonso is cautious about that: "I think the year is going to be difficult. The gap is quite big even though I think today has been our best race pace yet in the season. We finish, I think, closest to the leaders, no safety cars, nothing in the race and we’re still quite fast."

In any case, Alonso is looking forward with enthusiasm to the rest of the season, in which he finally wants to move up to a higher step on the podium. "I think the season is going to be long. Hopefully some of the tracks we will be a little bit closer to them. And some of the upgrades that we will bring later in the season maybe put us in a different or more competitive position. But I think our main focus, to be honest, is just looking behind and trying to keep Mercedes and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship under control.."