Alonso says strategy error cost him win

The French team decided to call Alonso in during the safety car period, and the Spaniard found himself in traffic when he returned to the track.

BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld, who pitted for the only time on lap 29, returned to the track right in front of Alonso, who was unable to pass the German despite being faster, as Heidfeld was carrying a big fuel load.

Alonso eventually spun off the road when trying to pass Heidfeld for second position, although the Spaniard had another pitstop to make.

Speaking to Spanish reporters after the race, Alonso said the strategy error probably cost him the race.

"The strategy was a mistake that it was too big for what we should demand from ourselves," Alonso was quoted as saying by AS newspaper. "We would probably have won if we had stayed on track instead of pitting when the safety car came out.

"Heidfeld came out ahead of Kubica and he was quite far behind us. He had a long stop. Stopping on lap 25 we would have been ahead of Kubica and we could have won the race."

He added: "We are not going to have a lot of chances to fight for the podium with BMW, and less of being able to match their speed, like this weekend. We had the chance and we didn't take it, so we'll have to wait until we get the next one."

Alonso said he had double-checked with the team to see that they were sure about the strategy call.

"I asked the team twice on the radio if they were sure that that strategy was the best, and they told me it was and I pitted," he added. "When I saw Heidfeld was in front of our car I realised I was right, that it would have been better not to pit."