Published: 20 Aug 2024
David Alonso: Austrian GP "Good For Championship" Despite Long Lap
Despite having to serve a long-lap penalty, David Alonso took home another great Moto3 win at the Austrian GP – a “good day” for the youngster.
Having been handed a long-lap penalty after qualifying, David Alonso’s path to victory appeared uncertain before the race even began. Following a good start, Alonso took on the extra loop outside of Turn 1 in Lap 3.
“I think I handled the Long-Lap penalty well and wasn’t too slow,” he noted after the race. “I focused on maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race.”
“The key was keeping the leading riders in sight, and once I caught up with the front group, I stayed calm. I remembered my crash last year and was determined to see the checkered flag this time.”
In contrast to last year’s race, where Alonso’s hopes were dashed by a crash in the Münzer Chicane while leading, this year’s event saw him take control in the final laps.
“I didn’t find many overtaking opportunities toward the end, so I decided to lead early and defend my position,” he explained.
With this victory, Alonso now boasts 224 points in the championship standings, extending his lead to 71 points over Ortola, who finished ninth after his difficult start.
Reflecting on the broader championship picture, Alonso acknowledged the importance of the title race but emphasized his focus during the race.
“We always think about the championship, but not during the race itself,” Alonso admitted. “Seeing Ivan struggling at the start made me realize it was a great opportunity to score as many points as possible. It was a good day for the championship.”
