Fernando Alonso Experiences Championship Set Back in Bahrain

Fernando Alonso’s 2013 F1 title hopes took another dent in Bahrain today after experiencing problems with his cars DRS mechanism.

Early on in the Grand Prix the Ferrari drivers rear wing jammed open after the DRS zone, requiring Alonso to pit to have it manually closed.

Fernando Alonso – Photo by Ryan Bayona

However after rejoining the race the team apparently didn’t tell the Spaniard not to activate the system anymore resulting in the wing getting stuck open for a second time.

It seems though that Ferrari did get the message after the second time as Fernando reluctantly refrained from pushing the DRS button from then on.

By this point though Alonso’s chances of winning or even getting a podium were all but gone, a big disappointment after his success last week in China.

Despite still managing to finish in the points in eighth place, with his two main rivals Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen taking first and second, Bahrain could prove a crucial set back for Alonso’s 2013 F1 season.

Due to the points structure and high standards of reliability in Formula One these days, consistency which is normally Fernando’s specialty will prove extremely important.

Alonso failed to finish the second race of the season in Malaysia after damaging his front wing, making contact with Vettel’s Red Bull on lap 1.