Alonso started from the front row with pole position Sergio Perez, but he was unable to catch the Mexican in the dominant Red Bull team and had to give up another position to sister RB19 eventual winner Max Verstappen.

After finishing on the podium for the fourth time in five grands prix, Alonso admitted his team’s perception of success was starting to shift.

But he knew that serious Red Bull misfortune would have to be in order to get higher.

“I thought it was a great thing to be on the podium at the beginning of the year. Now, after four podiums, we obviously want more, at least second,” said Alonso.

“But the two Red Bull teams are always indestructible, they’re always super fast. But as I said, maybe Monaco, maybe Barcelona, ​​we have a possibility.”

Aston’s rivals Mercedes and Ferrari both struggled with the pace of the race, with Alonso 21 seconds behind second-placed Perez and seven ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell in no man’s land. .

On his way to third, the two-time world champion even took the time to praise teammate Lance Stroll for a neat overtake seen on the big screens around Miami International Speedway.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23

Photography: Zak Mauger / motorsport pictures

Alonso admitted he had expected a tougher battle this weekend, with Ferrari and Mercedes unable to support their recent progress in Baku and Melbourne respectively.

“It was a bit of a lonely race today, with the Red Bull team in front of us and behind us really not much to do,” he shrugged.

“Maybe we did expect a stronger backlash, but Ferrari played a bit worse than expected today. So yes, it’s never easy, but it was a lonely race.

“We’re on the podium, going into the triple race of Imola, Monaco and Barcelona and hopefully we can keep going.”

Alonso, who has scored 15 points in every race weekend so far in 2023, missed the podium in Baku but added to his tally in the first sprint race of 2023.

With 75 points, the Spaniard is 19 points clear of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix two weeks later and is in contention for third place behind the elusive Red Bull.