'I thought it was gone' - Alonso relives thrilling last-lap Perez duel

Sao Paulo GP: Fernando Alonso relives thrilling last-lap Sergio Perez duel for final podium position Fernando Alonso beat Sergio Perez to third in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after a thrilling battle; Red Bull's Perez overtook Alonso on the penultimate lap before the Aston Martin reclaimed the position on the final circuit at Interlagos Last Updated: 05/11/23 9:51pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Fernando Alonso just pips Sergio Perez to a podium spot after an epic battle in the final stages of the race. Fernando Alonso just pips Sergio Perez to a podium spot after an epic battle in the final stages of the race. Fernando Alonso has admitted he thought a Sao Paulo Grand Prix podium "was gone" before reclaiming third place from Sergio Perez on the final lap of the race to conclude a thrilling battle between the pair. Having spent the majority of the race chasing Alonso, Perez finally passed the Aston Martin on the penultimate lap of the race with a move into the first corner that appeared to have sealed a double podium for Red Bull, with world champion Max Verstappen easing to victory.However, a small error from Perez gave Alonso the opportunity to retake the final podium spot in the second DRS zone on the run to Turn Four on their final tour, before the Spaniard held on to the position by just 0.053s on a charge to the finish line. Alonso explained to Sky Sports F1 that he thought he had blown his chance of responding by running off line on the penultimate lap as he attempted to hit back having been passed."Honestly, I thought that maybe my chances were gone in Turn Six," he said. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso enjoyed an epic battle in the final stages of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso enjoyed an epic battle in the final stages of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. "I went on the outside to change line but then I picked up a lot of marbles and the tyres were dirty, they were vibrating as well and I thought, 'ok, this is gone'."But then I wanted to have one more chance into Turn One or Turn Four with the DRS, maybe braking very aggressive, very late."I think he understood that as well, so he broke late into Turn One, missed the apex by one metre and that gave me the run into Turn Four."Unexpected, to be honest, when I lost the place I thought it was gone."Perez: Other drivers can learn from our battlePerez, who crashed out of last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix and last month's Qatar Grand Prix Sprint following collisions, said that other drivers could learn from the way he and Alonso had fought for position."It was quite an intense battle," Perez told Sky Sports F1. "We tried everything."Unfortunately we didn't succeed on that, but it was well deserved for Fernando. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The best of the action from a dramatic Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The best of the action from a dramatic Sao Paulo Grand Prix. "I think we had a great fight, very fair and to the limit. I think this is something that a lot of drivers can learn from because what we did, the way we fought today, it's how it should be done."I'm in the wrong side, I end up losing but it's fine because it was a great fight."Alonso agreed that it had been a "clean" contest, and admitted he was surprised to find Perez had matched his tyre-saving ability going into the final stages."It was nice, it was a clean battle," Alonso said. "A very aggressive, but clean battle. Always with Checo I think he has a very good record on finishing the races and always battling hard but keeping both cars on track. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Fernando Alonso overtakes Lewis Hamilton to move into third place at the restart of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso overtakes Lewis Hamilton to move into third place at the restart of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. "I knew that he was coming, I knew that he was a threat, and at the end it was maybe more difficult than I thought, to be honest."Five laps to the end, I thought that I had things under control, so I start pushing and then I look in the mirror and Checo was there, and I said 'uh oh, I think he was saving tyres as well'."Perez: Matter of time before podium | Alonso happy for 'united' Aston MartinPerez came into the weekend under major pressure amid continued speculation that Red Bull could look to replace him next season, despite a year still remaining on his contract.While his run of races without a podium extends to six, a solid display in coming from a starting position of ninth to finish fourth was an improvement on many of his recent efforts."We've seen in the last couple of races that the pace has been there, that