The two-time world champion returned to the podium for the first time in five races with a brilliant drive to second place in tricky conditions at a💃 rain꧂-affected, red-flagged Dutch Grand Prix. 

Alonso said he considered a lunge on Verstappen’s Red Bull fo💦llowing a rolಞling restart before ultimately settling for runner-up spot. 

"I did think about trying the move on the last restart but then I thought maybe I cannot exit the circuit, so I stayed calm in🔯 second,” the Spaniard said.&nꦯbsp;

"The energy in Zandvoort is very unique. When this race came [on the calendar] I thought I would n🦹ever e❀xperience a Zandvoort podium because I was not in a position to think about that. 

“And today is going to be very special to share the podium with Max and Pierre [Gasly, third].💞”

A stunning start saw Alon𝓡so rise from fifth on the grid to third befജore the red flag was flown when Zhou Guanyu aquaplaned into the barriers during a heavy downpour. 

Alonso was then promoted into second when Sergio Perez spun his Red Bull into the Turn 1 grav𒐪el, having also been caught out in the conditions. 

"It was a very, very intense race with the begin⛎ning🌜 in wet conditions," he added.

"We were very fast a🎉nd we stopped maybe one lap too late but the same as the lღeaders.

"The car was flying today, very compet𒅌itive, very easy t🐈o drive. In these conditions, you need a car that you can trust.

🐻"And I did trust the car a lot today, so I enjoyed it."

Following the race, Alonso confidently told his team over 𒆙the radio: “We will win a race soon, we are getting closer."