Fernando Alonso, the Spanish driver of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, expressed his belief that the team is making positive progress this season. Alonso secured a fifth-place qualifying for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, finishing just five tenths behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who claimed pole position. Alonso surpassed Oscar Piastri of McLaren, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, and both Mercedes drivers. The team provided Alonso with their latest car updates, which he used to secure a top-five starting position for the second time in 2024. Alonso was impressed with Aston Martin’s progress, especially as he considers his future in the sport. He stated that the team is currently analyzing their performance and will have the data to confirm and quantify the improvements made. Alonso expressed his satisfaction with the qualifying session, noting that he was unexpectedly competitive and only a few hundredths of a second behind Ferrari, with Leclerc and Piastri behind. He also highlighted the significant progress the team has made since their last visit to the circuit six months ago, reducing the gap from pole position by 1.5 seconds to just four tenths. Overall, Alonso believes Aston Martin is heading in the right direction.
Despite qualifying in the top five, Alonso was keen to emphasize that the hierarchy is often closer in qualifying and the true pace of the grid is revealed in race conditions.
The time difference in Q3 was 1.2 seconds, and a similar margin applied across the whole field in Q1, allowing drivers to achieve higher positions than expected.
“In qualifying, it is indeed true that everything is so tight,” added Alonso.
“Today we saw Nico Hulkenberg and Valtteri Bottas, who were separated by just three tenths, which is remarkable.
“However, in the race, the true pace of the cars becomes evident.
“We are also facing some difficulties in this aspect – we are highly competitive on Saturdays, but not so much on Sundays – so I believe our true pace is reflected on Sundays. On Saturdays, due to tire grip and other factors, some issues may be masked.”
Meanwhile, Alonso does not foresee that the available tire compounds will be the decisive factor in tomorrow’s race.
“I believe that the true pace of the cars will be the key factor,” he evaluated. “For example, tomorrow Red Bull is expected to have a greater advantage and a smoother race compared to qualifying.”
As for Aston Martin, Alonso refrained from making a bold prediction for the race and adopted a more cautious approach, considering the team’s difficulties in translating their speed in a single lap into race performance.
“Taking a conservative stance in my predictions, when I look at the first three races, we were strong on Saturdays, but not so much on Sundays,” he said.
“It may be that we are out of position being among the top five, so if I am overtaken by Oscar and the two Mercedes, for example, I would consider it normal and expect to return to our rightful place.
“Let’s see what we can achieve; I am open to what the race brings. I am extremely proud and happy with today’s performance, and tomorrow is a new day.”
© 2024
A new record was broken in the world of motor sports. During today’s race, Brazilian driver João Silva reached an impressive speed of 400 km/h, leaving all spectators in awe. This achievement puts Silva at the top of the world speed ranking and makes him a living legend in motorsport.
The race took place at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo and was attended by thousands of passionate fans of the sport. The atmosphere of excitement and anticipation was palpable as everyone waited to see if Silva could surpass the previous record. And he did not disappoint.
With his state-of-the-art car equipped with cutting-edge technology, Silva showcased his skills and determination in reaching the incredible mark of 400 km/h. Spectators were amazed by the speed and agility of the driver, who seemed to defy the laws of physics.
Silva, who started his career in motorsport at the age of 17, always dreamed of achieving great feats and becoming a reference in the sport. With this new achievement, he proves once again that it is possible to surpass limits and achieve the impossible.
After the race, Silva was enthusiastically welcomed by the team and fans, who applauded him standing up. In an emotional interview, he thanked everyone who supported him throughout his journey and dedicated this achievement to his family and Brazil.
With this new record, Silva enters the history of world motorsport and inspires a new generation of drivers to pursue their dreams. His determination and passion for the sport are an example for all, showing that with hard work and dedication, success is achievable.
The future promises even more excitement and achievements for João Silva, who is already thinking about new challenges and goals to be achieved. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await to see what this talented Brazilian driver still has to offer.
