McLaren drivers finally make the podium as Alonso and Button grab photo opportunity
Two former world champions take the chance to stand atop the podium at Interlagos
McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button stepped onto the Formula One podium for the first time this season on Saturday – but only in jest after yet another qualifying nightmare in Brazil.
Neither of the two former world champions made it through the opening phase at Interlagos, with Spaniard Alonso told by the team to pull over before he had even got a timed lap under his belt.
“No power,” he said, before parking on the grass.
Jokes apart, I think it has been a very frustrating weekend with two engine failures
Alonso had spent much of Friday afternoon watching from the barriers after a similar failure in practice and on Saturday he made himself more comfortable.
Lying back in a foldable picnic chair, feet resting on his helmet, he winked theatrically at a television camera and soaked up some afternoon sun.
“I need to be a little bit more prepared next time in Abu Dhabi (the final race of the season in two weeks’ time), take the telephone and the sun tanning (lotion) or something,” Alonso told the BBC. “It was quite hot out there.”
