Fernando Alonso Shakes Up the F1 Landscape: Aston Martin’s True Pace Under Fire!
In a bold claim that is sending shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Fernando Alonso has revealed that Aston Martin’s internal assessments suggest they are the eighth-fastest team on the grid. The revelation follows a tumultuous weekend at the US Grand Prix in Austin, where Alonso’s performance was somewhat overshadowed by external factors and a chaotic sprint race.
Alonso had a mixed bag during the race weekend, securing a commendable fourth in the first practice session and sixth in the sprint qualifying. However, he ultimately crossed the finish line in a disappointing tenth place after an early exit from the sprint race due to a first-corner collision. The unpredictability of sprint weekends, combined with Pirelli’s controversial tire choices, undoubtedly impacted the racing order.
“It’s a sprint weekend, so there is a bit of a mix-up going on. Rookies are getting accustomed to the track, and we have to factor that in,” Alonso commented post-sprint race. He emphasized that, according to their metrics, Aston Martin ranked as the eighth fastest team, despite achieving sixth and tenth positions during the initial sessions. “I’m happy in that regard, but I don’t think this is a particularly good weekend for Aston,” he admitted candidly.
After the grand prix, Alonso reiterated his concerns about the disparity between qualifying speed and race performance. “We were slow compared to the cars in front of us, and we had the Racing Bull of Liam Lawson right on our tail,” he revealed, indicating that they were consistently under pressure. “We struggled more in the race than in any other session this weekend. We seem quicker in qualifying but less competitive when it counts,” he added, stressing the need for improvement as the season nears its conclusion.
Alonso’s race didn’t start smoothly; he lost two positions off the line to Nico Hulkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda. However, fortune smiled upon him when Carlos Sainz crashed out, allowing Alonso to regain lost ground. Despite holding off Lawson for most of the race, the gaps revealed a troubling reality: “We probably are ninth today,” he conceded, pointing to Haas and Sauber as teams clearly outperforming them. “To be tenth and score one point is a good result, but we need to improve before heading to Mexico,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, Mike Krack, weighed in on the team’s performance, highlighting the complexities of race strategy and tire choices. With varying strategies among competitors—some opting for soft compounds while others stuck to harder tires—Krack noted the necessity for a thorough analysis. “We need to examine all the numbers, including traffic and DRS impact, before we can evaluate our true pace,” he stated.
Krack acknowledged that each race presents unique challenges, with some circuits better suited to Aston Martin’s car than others. “The analysis will be done, and we will go over it,” he assured, indicating a commitment to uncovering the team’s potential and addressing their weaknesses.
As the F1 circus heads to Mexico, all eyes will be on Aston Martin and their quest for speed. With Alonso’s candid assessments and the team’s performance under scrutiny, the coming races could be pivotal in reshaping their season. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they continue to struggle under the pressure? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher!
