Sawt Falasteen - Alonso upbeat despite podium run ending at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Spanish veteran's decision to quit Alpine and join Aston Martin has proved an inspired choice.

Alonso made the podiums for his rejuvenated new team in the season-opener in Bahrain, followed by Saudi Arabia and Melbourne - the first time he had strung together three top three finishes since the 2013 season.

Finishing fourth on Sunday -- behind Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc -- ended the sequence, but he was packing a lot of positives into his luggage as he headed off to Florida for next weekend's Miami Grand Prix.

"I'm quite happy. We had pace in (Saturday's) sprint, and showed we were even stronger today. It was a tricky weekend for Aston," said Alonso, alluding to his team's issues with its DRS (drag reduction system) and set up.

"We were not that fast, and still only one second away from the podium.

"Ferrari had a perfect weekend: two pole positions, super fast car. They were just one second from the Astons. We have to be happy overall."

Alonso's teammate, Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, came in seventh.

Alonso sits third in the drivers championship with 60 points, 33 behind leader and world champion Verstappen, with Stroll in eighth place on 27 points.

Looking ahead to Miami next Sunday Alonso anticipated a tight tussle between Aston Martin and their two main rivals for any crumbs falling off Red Ball's overladen plate.

"Miami is a more standard format (to Baku). It's a different thing again. Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston are so close together so every weekend will be a little bit different, with always one of us a little bit ahead."

Q.Najjar--SF-PST