The previous weekend at Hungary saw Fernando Alonso finish ahead of Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll. Starting out strong in seventh place on the first lap, Alonso was ultimately overtaken by Sergio Perez and George Russell, both of whom had disappointing qualifying sessions but made a strong comeback during the race.
In spite of securing six podium finishes within the first eight races of 2023, Alonso acknowledges Aston Martin’s relative slide in performance, falling behind other teams like McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari that are regularly pursuing the leading team, Red Bull.
When queried if the Hungarian race performance was the best he could deliver, Alonso responded affirmatively. “We lacked the speed to challenge those in front and didn’t have any significant threats from behind. We scored three points and achieved ninth and tenth positions, which is the best we could manage today. The last two races have seen us struggle somewhat,” he stated.
“In Silverstone, the introduction of the safety car somewhat benefitted us, aiding us to secure a seventh place finish, a bit better than our usual pace. Reflecting on the races in Silverstone and today, the ninth position is seemingly our standard pace. Thus, we’re lagging behind Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren, as per the qualifying and race results,” Alonso admitted.
It came as a surprise to Alonso that the team ranking remained consistent across two vastly different tracks. “We anticipated some struggle in Silverstone but expected better performance in Budapest. It didn’t pan out that way. We’re now analysing the situation and hope to come back stronger at Spa next week,” he mentioned.
In addressing the team’s current challenges, Alonso expressed, “We need a deeper understanding of our car’s performance now versus the start of the season, the level of upgrades we’ve implemented compared to our main rivals, and a comprehensive comprehension of the new tyres. Since everyone is dealing with the same conditions, we need to step up our game.”
When asked whether Aston Martin is falling behind in the race development, Alonso expressed uncertainty. “It’s hard to ascertain. Every race presents its own set of puzzles. It’s hard to pin down the exact causes of our current performance. Surprising outcomes, such as Hulkenberg and the Haas qualifying fourth in Austria, Williams’ impressive speed in Silverstone, and Alfa Romeo’s surprising speed here, complicate the situation further.
“However, during the actual race, things usually balance out with the bigger teams ending up in the front. Unfortunately, we’re at the tail end of these top-ranking teams and need to work our way back up.”
“We’re continuously attempting to innovate, just like all the other teams. So, it’s not that anyone will halt development and wait until next year. We’re all striving to enhance our performance. Sometimes our innovations exceed expectations, and other times they fall short. We remain hopeful that our next upgrade will yield positive results,” Alonso concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fernando Alonso’s performance evaluation
What position did Fernando Alonso finish at the Hungarian GP?
Fernando Alonso finished ahead of his Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll at the Hungarian GP, implying he ranked in the top ten.
What did Alonso say about Aston Martin’s current F1 ranking?
Alonso stated that after the Hungarian GP, he believes Aston Martin is currently the fifth fastest team in F1, following McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and the leading team, Red Bull.
What did Alonso mention about the team’s performance in Silverstone and Hungary?
In Silverstone, Alonso felt that the safety car helped them achieve a better finish than their usual pace, securing seventh place. He observed that the team’s performance in both Silverstone and Hungary seemed to suggest that their current pace generally places them in the ninth position.
How did Alonso describe the team’s need for improvement?
Alonso highlighted the necessity for a deeper understanding of the car’s current performance compared to the beginning of the season, the level of upgrades they’ve implemented, and a comprehensive comprehension of the new tyres.
What was Alonso’s take on the development race?
Alonso expressed uncertainty about Aston Martin’s position in the development race, acknowledging the need for continuous innovation and upgrades. He remains hopeful that the team’s next step will yield positive results.
More about Fernando Alonso’s performance evaluation
- Fernando Alonso’s career highlights
- Aston Martin’s F1 Team
- 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix results
- 2023 F1 Teams performance
- Overview of F1 car development
5 comments
Wasn’t expecting the Big 4 to be so far ahead. Aston Martin, pick up the pace!!
alonso is still one of the best. doesnt matter if hes 5th or 50th fastest. Respekt!
f1 is all about development and innovation. they’ll bounce back!
It’s not just about speed, it’s also bout strategy! c’mon Aston u can do better
Aston Martin is still a solid team, but it seems they are losing the tech race this season, gotta step up.