Red flag deprived me of win, says Alonso

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, May 29, 2011 (AFP) - Fernando Alonso said he believed he and Ferrari were deprived of victory in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix by a multiple accident late in the race which allowed Sebastian Vettel to fit fresh
tyres and win.

The two-times drivers' world champion finished 1.1 seconds behind the defending drivers champion, but was pressing to pass him before the late crash and a red flag that suspended the action.

The Spaniard was running on much fresher tyres and had the speed and performance advantage over the young German, but was unable to make use of his advantages.

Alonso said: "In this race, I think we gained one position with the first Safety Car intervention (by overtaking Jenson Button for second place) and maybe we lost a victory with the last red flag.

"I really think in the last eight or nine laps, the tyres on the Red Bull were struggling a lot - certainly in the last part of the circuit. There was nothing to lose for me. I am not leading the championship. I will try and winthe race and if we crash, we crash."

In the end, he said, he was satisfied to finish second, his best result for the team this year.

He said: "We were third in Turkey and now second here, so it was a good weekend for us.

"We were quick on Thursday and quick in qualifying so it was okay for us. And I am extremely happy because the team needs this result and the podium after some weeks with difficulties.

"Seven days ago in Barcelona we were one minute and 30 seconds behind the leader, so this is a much more normal weekend for us and a good motivation for the guys."

Alonso is now fifth in the championship, 74 points behind runaway leader Vettel.