Fernando Alonso playfully admits he was tempted to overtake Max Verstappen at Zandvoort

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso found humour in the situation as he considered the audacious idea of attempting to pass Red Bull's Max Verstappen for the lead at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

As the rain poured and Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu suffered a race-altering crash, the race was halted with just six laps remaining, setting the stage for a thrilling climax. Alonso, the seasoned Spaniard, was in hot pursuit of his 33rd career victory, but the formidable Verstappen stood in his way, on course for his ninth consecutive triumph, equalling a historic Formula 1 record.

Reflecting on the dramatic race, Alonso spoke to reporters, securing his seventh podium finish of the season, breaking his podium drought that had persisted since the Canadian Grand Prix.

"This is a truly unique racetrack," Alonso commented on the iconic Zandvoort circuit. "I'm delighted for Max."

"I contemplated the idea of making a move during the final restart," he revealed with a grin. "But then I pondered, perhaps I wouldn't find my way out of the circuit! So, I opted for second place and kept my composure."

He continued, "It was an incredibly intense race, especially in the wet conditions at the start; we demonstrated exceptional speed. We pitted maybe one lap later than ideal, but so did the leaders. The car performed superbly, it was competitive and a joy to drive."

"In such challenging conditions, trust in your car is paramount, and I had complete faith in it. So, I relished the experience."

Alonso expressed his gratitude to the passionate fans, acknowledging the unique energy that permeates Zandvoort. "Two years ago, when this race returned, I never imagined I'd stand on the Zandvoort podium, as I wasn't in a competitive position back then."

The next destination on the Formula 1 calendar is the Italian Grand Prix on September 3rd at Monza. Located just outside Milan, Monza is renowned as the fastest track on the F1 calendar, with cars averaging speeds of over 260 km/h per lap.

Often referred to as the "cathedral of speed," the circuit is an iconic venue and serves as the home race for Ferrari, the sport's oldest team. Additionally, it holds special significance for AlphaTauri, who clinched their only two F1 victories at this hallowed racetrack.