Fernando Alonso braved the difficult track to finish third in the 2021 Qatar GP

It was a night to remember for Fernando Alonso at the 2021 Qatar GP. The Spaniard started at P3 and finished in the podium after a masterful stroke of 1 pit stop strategy.

This was his first podium finish in more than 7 years, with his last podium finish coming in July 2014 at the Hungarian GP.

Despite seeing the majority of drivers deploying the 1 pit stop strategy crumble, the veteran held on with Sergio Perez hot on his heels.

The Alpine driver ended up finishing nearly 3 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Perez to secure P3.

Back where he belongs 🤩#QatarGP 🇶🇦 #F1 @alo_oficial pic.twitter.com/lyDPC43NrC

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 21, 2021

He also did his hardworking Alpine F1 team proud. Alonso’s teammate Esteban Ocon earned quite some points as well, finishing at P5.

Twitterati hail ‘Magic’ Fernando Alonso

Twitter rushed to congratulate workhorse Fernando Alonso following his third place finish.

Despite a heated down to the wire battle going on between first placed Max Verstappen and second placed Lewis Hamilton, it was Alonso’s performance that stole the show.

His fans’ joy knew no bounds. Here are a few Twitter reactions:

pic.twitter.com/LLXOfGIt7k

— tom.p 🙂 (@stomp_nl) November 21, 2021

pic.twitter.com/lDZHJUyyq7

— bb es acb (@acb_bilbao) November 21, 2021

I mean, forget abt the HAM vs MAX title battle.

You should spend at least 1 minute of standing ovation for this man's achievement today.

— Arif (@wijaksono97) November 21, 2021

https://twitter.com/AdrianxLili/status/1462443778602635279

pic.twitter.com/KDkj9oW2zq

— arsalan (@sharll_leclair) November 21, 2021

Congratulations to Alonso! Welcome back to the podium.. What a drive today. Great work. He absolutely deserves this today

— ☯ (@BennyJezard) November 21, 2021

pic.twitter.com/H8mAxZ0uIl

— Car hunter (@_KimilF1) November 21, 2021

https://twitter.com/Erehhhhnh/status/1462443792833945601

Trust the plan pic.twitter.com/v84C7erz3z

— Lelew (@Lelew_skr) November 21, 2021

Welcome back Alonso pic.twitter.com/5cbOCE1Kh7

— 마일어🏎🍩 (@MyloReddevil) November 21, 2021

https://twitter.com/AOmodamola/status/1462443866863378432

https://twitter.com/Haydencoop123/status/1462443677003964423

pic.twitter.com/cXs2PMjqcd

— 𝑨𝒅𝒆𝒍 (@Adel__F1) November 21, 2021

Alonso is currently number 10 in the driver’s championship standings. He has accumulated 77 points.

His teammate Ocon is eleventh with 60 points.

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