Fernando Alonso was able to finish for the 3rd consecutive time on the podium. The Spaniard had a great race. He started from P4 but was fighting for the win halfway through the race. "After a second place like this, it's easy to say that it could have been better, but I am pleased nevertheless," said the Ferrari driver afterwards. "We must improve in qualifying, because we have a very strong race pace and I don't think there's any doubt about that."

He continued: "Everything went well today: the start, the pit stops and the strategy. We still lack something on Saturdays, because yesterday we were three or four tenths away, but I am confident we can also improve on this front. Today, Hamilton was quicker and so well done to him and his team: when I was behind him I was pushing as hard as I could, but I could not get very close. Even though I came out ahead of him at the second pit stop, I had absolutely no grip and he managed to pass me round the outside: immediately he then built up a few seconds lead."

The Spaniard was happy to see the performance of his prancing horse but warns that it might different in seven days time: "Today, we were clearly superior to the Red Bulls in terms of performance and this is important, given where we were at the start of the championship. That does not mean it will be the same in the coming races, but the situation is getting back to normal. The classification? I'm not looking, but if there's a chance, it depends on always finishing on the podium hoping that Vettel does not do the same."

At the end of the race Alonso had to shutdown his engine to save fuel. "Why did I park the car at the side of the track at the end? The team asked me to cut the engine as a precaution and luckily Mark was alongside me and stopped to give me a lift. I don't know how he knew I was shutting off the engine; maybe he has a radio link to my engineer!"