The Aston Martin team showcased a glimmer of improvement at the Losail Circuit, with Fernando Alonso narrowly missing out on SQ3 in Sprint Qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix. Alonso, who finished 11th, was just 0.40 seconds short of advancing, edged out by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. Despite the near-miss, the two-time world champion remains optimistic about the weekend’s opportunities.
“A Good Qualifying for Us,” Says Alonso
Alonso expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the strides made compared to previous weekends:
Fernando Alonso:
“I think it was a good qualifying for us, better than the previous weekends. We were comfortable in Q1 and then in Q2 we were a couple of hundredths off. We were more competitive than in the last few races.”
Starting from 11th in the Sprint, Alonso is optimistic about turning the slight gains into points over the weekend:
Alonso:
“This result gives us some hope for this weekend. Tomorrow we have the chance to score points, and in the main race I also think we can have a chance.”
Circuit Characteristics Favor Aston Martin
The high-speed nature of the Lusail circuit and cooler temperatures appear to complement Aston Martin’s package, giving the team an edge it lacked in recent races. Alonso praised the improved synergy between the car and the track:
Alonso:
“The high-speed nature of the track has probably helped our package, as well as the temperatures. We are definitely happier here than in recent races.”
Looking Ahead to the Sprint and Grand Prix
Alonso believes the team’s upward trajectory could translate into valuable points on both Saturday’s Sprint Race and Sunday’s Grand Prix:
Alonso:
“We hope to have the opportunity to score points tomorrow in the Sprint and especially in the race on Sunday. I am happy with the work the team has done.”
Meanwhile, Lance Stroll, starting 14th, faces a tougher path to the points but remains in the hunt as Aston Martin seeks to maximize its tally in the final races. The team currently sits fifth in the constructors’ standings with 86 points, aiming to close the season on a high note.
Final Thoughts
With Losail’s layout playing to Aston Martin’s strengths, Alonso’s optimism signals a potentially strong weekend for the team. While McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes continue to dominate the headlines, a resurgent Aston Martin could prove to be the surprise challenger in Qatar.