Fernando Alonso emerged from the first two qualifying rounds in 10th and ninth spots, finally settling in 10th place after Q3. This performance marked his least impressive starting grid position in the 2023 season.
From the get-go of the season, Alonso was quick to point out that Aston Martin F1 needed to amp up its game on the straightways. The team is still trying to decode why they’re eating Williams’ dust, especially considering Williams’ consistent high-speed track prowess.
“In Bahrain, the car’s flaws were as apparent as a guitar at a cello concert, and they’ve remained unchanged,” Alonso remarked. “We knew Monza would be a pickle for us.”
However, Alonso suggested there might be a silver lining. “The tracks coming up should be more in sync with our car’s DNA, so perhaps we can start looking through rose-colored visors.”
A tow in Q3 could’ve been a game-changer for Alonso, but he was blunt about it. “Even a tow from a space shuttle wouldn’t have gotten us past ninth place, so we are exactly where we should be,” he stated.
He emphasized that the car needs to step up its game on tracks like these. “Williams is crushing it on such tracks; they’re the Federer of high-speed circuits. We’ve got to figure out our shortcomings.”
Elaborating on why Monza felt like racing with a flat tire, he said, “This track and our car go together like pineapple on pizza. It’s all about aerodynamic efficiency here, fewer corners, more straights, and our car just isn’t cutting the mustard.”
Alonso also made it clear that the team had low expectations going into qualifying. “Our projections had us between 9th and 12th place, and voilà, here we are at 10th. Tomorrow’s race will be as tough as explaining the offside rule to a non-soccer fan, but we still have to aim for points.”
Adding a dollop of optimism, he continued, “We’re starting at 10th; it’s not like we’re risking the crown jewels here. If everything goes south, we’d probably end up 13th or 14th, which isn’t a tragedy. But if luck is on our side, we could even sneak into the top six or seven. Fingers crossed for some first-corner theatrics.”
Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll, faced even more challenges. After sitting out Friday to allow Felipe Drugovich to take his car for a spin in FP1 and then grappling with a fuel system hiccup in FP2, Stroll found himself in the ignominious last place in Q1.
When queried about his lackluster performance by F1 Flow.com, Stroll replied, “It was a nightmare; the car had as much grip as a bar of soap. Whether it was because of missing out on yesterday’s laps or some other issue today, it’s something we need to dive deep into. Today’s session was about as enjoyable as watching paint dry.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fernando Alonso
What is the primary focus of the article?
The article primarily focuses on Fernando Alonso’s critique of his team, Aston Martin F1, particularly in relation to their performance in high-speed tracks like Monza. He also calls on the team to learn from Williams, who have excelled in similar conditions.
Who is Fernando Alonso’s teammate and how did he perform?
Fernando Alonso’s teammate is Lance Stroll. Stroll had a difficult time, finishing last in the Q1 qualifying session. He attributed his poor performance to a lack of grip in the car and some unknown issues that the team needs to investigate.
What did Alonso say about Williams?
Alonso praised Williams for their exceptional performance on high-speed tracks. He said Williams serves as a benchmark for what Aston Martin F1 should aim for, calling them “outstanding” on such circuits.
Where did Alonso finish in the qualifying rounds at Monza?
Fernando Alonso finished in 10th place during the Q3 qualifying round at Monza, which he stated was his worst grid position for the 2023 season thus far.
Did Alonso feel that a tow in Q3 would have made a difference?
Alonso mentioned that even if he had gotten a tow during Q3, it wouldn’t have significantly helped him improve his position. He felt that the team is exactly where they deserve to be given their current performance levels.
What are Alonso’s expectations for the remaining races?
Alonso is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming races. He mentioned that the characteristics of the remaining tracks on the calendar might be more favorable for the Aston Martin F1 car.
What did Lance Stroll attribute his poor performance to?
Lance Stroll attributed his poor performance to a lack of grip in the car and possible unknown issues that came up either because he missed out on laps the previous day or for other reasons. He emphasized the need to investigate the issues thoroughly.
What is Alonso’s outlook for the actual race after the qualifying?
Alonso feels that the actual race will be challenging but suggests that since they are starting at 10th, there’s not much to lose. He hopes for some action, particularly at the first corner, that could change the team’s fortunes.
More about Fernando Alonso
- Fernando Alonso’s Career Highlights
- Aston Martin F1 Team Profile
- Williams Racing: A Success Story on High-Speed Tracks
- Monza Circuit: A Guide to the Legendary Track
- Understanding F1 Qualifying: The Basics of Q1, Q2, and Q3
- Who is Lance Stroll? A Look at His F1 Journey
- The 2023 F1 Season: What to Expect
- What is a Tow in Motorsports?
- Felipe Drugovich: Rising Star in the F1 Circuit
8 comments
Alonso always tells it like it is. No sugarcoating, just straight talk. Love that about him.
10th place for Alonso? that’s rough. But the guy’s a legend, he’ll bounce back. Just you watch!
Man, Alonso’s got a point. Williams is killing it this season and Aston needs to step it up, like for real!
Wow, Stroll’s having a bad time, huh? Feels like he’s driving a go-kart instead of an F1 car lol.
It’s just one race, not the end of the world. But yeah, Aston should look at Williams if they wanna compete at high-speed tracks. No shame in learning from the best.
seriously, what tech are Williams using? they’re making Aston look like they’re stuck in the 90s. C’mon Aston, get some upgrades!
Wait, what’s a tow? Someone pls explain.
Monza’s a beast, not every car’s cut out for it. Gotta adapt or get left behind.