During the defense, he didn't hold back at all, but Chen Xiangbei indeed went through easily.
Alonso knew that this kind of anticipation and familiarity surely bore Briatore's mark.
But to successfully implement the plan, it required the driver's control skills!
The Chinese rookie was far stronger than the team's management realized, and it wasn't because Alonso underestimated him and "let" him through.
However, Alonso's pride and arrogance made him unable to admit that he was overtaken by a freshman on a technical level. Just like in later years, when his performance declined, he habitually complained about the car's performance for failing to achieve results.
Thus, Alonso nodded with a grim face and said, "This race he won't see my taillights."
"GOOD."
Domenicali was very pleased with this response; Ferrari signed Alonso at a high cost this season precisely to return to the pinnacle.
