Two-time F1 world champion Alonso crossed the road simply 0.053 seconds forward of the Pink Bull driver to secure the final podium spot at Interlagos, as Aston Martin returned to the podium for the primary time because the Dutch GP in late August.
The battling duo injected late drama right into a largely tepid affair gained by Max Verstappen, as ninth-starting Perez dived up the within of the AMR23 into Flip 1 on lap 70 of 71.
However on the ultimate tour, Alonso – who had lined up fourth on the grid – made the Mexican transfer off-line to defend via the opening corners after which deployed DRS to dart spherical the surface into Flip 4.
Alonso then took a large line into the final nook to help his exit and uphill run to the flag however within the slipstream, Perez closed to tee up a spectacular end.
PLUS: Brazilian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
With Alonso narrowly holding on, Aston group principal Krack credited his skilled driver for taking “unconventional” routes.
He mentioned: “It was an attention-grabbing struggle within the final couple of laps. Clearly, the nearer you go to the tip of the race, the extra thrilling it will get… it was an attention-grabbing struggle.
“You might see that we took some strains that have been perhaps a bit unconventional, as an instance. However Sergio behind was instructed to do the identical, apparently.
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Staff, third place, celebrates together with his trophy
“So mainly, you would actually see the attention-grabbing dynamics that develop there – all people tried to handle his tyres to be sturdy within the components the place you’ll be able to overtake. And this was fairly attention-grabbing.
“You noticed the large expertise, how [Alonso] managed his sport there towards somebody that on paper has a faster automobile.”
Krack added that there have been a number of locations across the lap the place Alonso had different his method to take care of the Pirelli tyres, which drivers complained have been degrading quicker than regular all through the Brazil weekend.
Requested whether or not the thought Alonso would regain the place after Perez dived handed on the penultimate lap, Krack continued: “You by no means know the way a lot juice all people has in his tank, so that is actually dictating how it’ll finish.
“Then, going for the final time down the again straight to Flip 4, I feel Fernando ready it very well from the exit of Flip 1 and Flip 2, and managed to overhaul.”
Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll completed fifth.