Karun Chandhok was full of praise for the efforts of Fernando Alonso during second practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Alonso set the fastest time under the lights in Jeddah to underline his status as a pole position contender heading into qualifying.
And Chandhok was mightily impressed by what he saw from the 42-year-old in the Aston Martin.
Alonso had already shown promise in the first session of the day as he finished second in the timings, within two tenths of pacesetter Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.
And he built on that in the more representative evening running, slated for the same time as Friday’s qualifying hour and Saturday’s race.
He notched a lap more than two tenths quicker of the Mercedes of George Russell, with Verstappen three tenths back in third.
Alonso qualified an impressive sixth last time out in Bahrain but lost ground in the race, ultimately coming home ninth.
Karun Chandhok applauds Fernando Alonso showing in Saudi Arabia
Speaking during Sky Sports F1’s live coverage, Chandhok noted that Alonso had a commanding advantage over teammate Lance Stroll, who placed sixth.
He was also three and a half tenths faster than the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, which started on the front row in Bahrain.
The former HRT and Lotus driver feels that the veteran is ‘on a bit of a mission’ at the second round of the championship.
“That lap from Alonso looks like a cracker doesn’t it,” he said (17:44). “Half a second ahead of Stroll. Big chunk ahead of Leclerc.
“He’s arrived this weekend on a bit of a mission I feel.”
Alonso will want more from Aston Martin
Chandhok’s observations are significant in light of comments from Martin Brundle during the race in Bahrain.
Brundle noted that Alonso was looking ‘dispirited’ behind the wheel as he dropped back from his strong grid slot.
Aston Martin will want to prove to the Spaniard that he can provide him with a car that can contend at the sharp end.
He’s out of contract at the end of the season, and his manager Flavio Briatore has already been spotted meeting Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
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