Fernando Alonso once again showcased his racing prowess by snatching eighth place at the Singapore Grand Prix, a result that Aston Martin’s star driver admits was “better than our best dreams.” Despite grappling with balance issues and an uncompetitive AMR24, the two-time F1 world champion exceeded expectations on the challenging Marina Bay Circuit.
Building on a promising sixth-place finish in Azerbaijan, Alonso was on inspired form in Singapore, qualifying seventh and leaving his teammate Lance Stroll nearly a second behind. While the Spaniard lost positions to the Ferraris during the race, quick strategic thinking by the Aston Martin pit wall allowed Alonso to undercut Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas, ultimately securing him seventh place before settling for eighth.
“A Tough Battle in the Midfield”
Alonso’s eighth-place finish came despite a difficult weekend wrestling the AMR24 through the narrow, unforgiving streets of Singapore. “Normally, we’re looking at ninth and 10th at best,” Alonso stated. “So finishing eighth is better than our best dreams. The car was tough to drive all weekend, and honestly, we’re lucky to have scored points.”
The Spaniard was realistic about Aston Martin’s true pace, suggesting that his teammate Stroll’s 14th place finish was a more accurate reflection of where the team stood. “We should be 15th or 16th,” Alonso said. “We finished eighth, just two seconds behind Ferrari, but I don’t think there was much more I could do today.”
“Street Circuits Have Been Kind, But Upgrades Are Essential”
Alonso acknowledged that the unique characteristics of street circuits like Singapore and Baku have masked some of Aston Martin’s deeper performance woes. With updates planned for the coming races, Alonso remains hopeful these will help the team regain a competitive edge. “We’ve been lucky with these tracks, but now we need to step up our game,” he said. “We’ve got new parts coming, and we’re counting on them to boost our performance.”
“2026 Is on the Horizon, But Progress Must Start Now”
Looking ahead, Alonso stressed the importance of the updates, not just for immediate results, but as a foundation for Aston Martin’s future ambitions. With regulatory changes looming in 2026, he believes the upgrades introduced this season will play a crucial role in shaping next year’s car. “I don’t see any major revolutions happening for 2024,” he explained. “The goal now is to find the right direction, so we’re in the best position when the new rules kick in.”
For Alonso, the fight continues as he aims to push Aston Martin back up the grid. His ability to consistently punch above the car’s weight remains a testament to his skill and determination, even as the team works tirelessly to close the gap to its rivals. As Aston Martin prepares for upcoming races, all eyes will be on the updates that could redefine their season and set the stage for a much-needed resurgence.
