After enjoying a series of podium finishes earlier in the season, Fernando Alonso faced a tougher challenge in the last two Formula 1 races. Nonetheless, he expressed contentment with earning valuable points by securing seventh place in the British Grand Prix.
Alonso acknowledged that the outcome of the race was more favorable than anticipated, admitting that the team struggled with pace throughout the weekend. Despite these difficulties, he praised the team’s strategic decisions, particularly stretching the stint on the medium tires and opting for the soft compound during the safety car period.
The Spanish driver believed that multiple factors contributed to Aston Martin’s performance at Silverstone. He cited being out-developed by rival teams who introduced significant upgrades and acknowledged that the track layout was not ideal for their package. Additionally, he mentioned the influence of the new tire construction, emphasizing the need for further analysis. Nevertheless, Alonso considered the weekend a successful salvage operation and looked forward to being competitive again in Hungary.
Aston Martin introduced new parts at Silverstone, and Team Principal Mike Krack assured that more upgrades would follow in the upcoming races. When asked about the urgency for these developments, Alonso downplayed the significance of an arms race. He expressed satisfaction with the current state of the car, surpassing their initial expectations for the season. While he acknowledged the importance of maintaining a competitive position within the top 10 and battling with the frontrunners, Alonso emphasized the need for a long-term perspective and a pragmatic, relaxed approach to their performance.
Alonso stressed that they should not become stressed or overly concerned with their weekend results, whether they finish seventh, fourth, or reach the podium. He advocated for understanding, learning, and finding happiness in their current position, contrasting it with their struggles last year when they were consistently at the back of the grid.
Moreover, Alonso highlighted the track-specific nature of performance, mentioning the varying results of drivers like Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi at Silverstone in previous years. He also pointed out that just two races prior in Canada, they were contenders for victory. This context allowed him to maintain a relaxed attitude.
Regarding the world championship battle, Alonso expressed confidence that Aston Martin had enough momentum to stay ahead of McLaren. While acknowledging McLaren’s strong performance over the weekend, he believed they had a sufficient points advantage to keep a comfortable distance. Alonso recognized the competition from Mercedes and Ferrari, anticipating a close fight until the end. However, he reassured that the past two races in Austria and Silverstone were the team’s worst weekends so far and emphasized their ability to recover effectively.
In conclusion, despite a recent dip in form, Alonso conveyed a sense of calmness and confidence, urging the team to focus on long-term progress while remaining satisfied with their current achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Formula 1 setback
What was Fernando Alonso’s position in the British Grand Prix?
Fernando Alonso secured seventh place in the British Grand Prix.
What were the challenges faced by Alonso and Aston Martin in the race?
Alonso mentioned that the team struggled with pace throughout the weekend, and the track layout at Silverstone was not favorable for their package. Additionally, they faced stiff competition from teams that had introduced significant upgrades.
How did Alonso feel about the team’s performance and strategy?
Alonso believed that the team’s performance actually exceeded expectations considering their pace. He praised the strategic decisions made during the race, such as stretching the stint on medium tires and opting for soft tires during the safety car period.
How does Alonso view the long-term development of Aston Martin?
Alonso emphasized the importance of a relaxed and pragmatic approach to the team’s performance. He mentioned that the car is better than anticipated this year and expressed satisfaction with the team’s ability to fight for positions they couldn’t have dreamed of at the beginning of the year. He emphasized the need to focus on the long-term picture rather than getting stressed about individual race results.
Can Aston Martin maintain their advantage over McLaren in the championship battle?
Alonso expressed confidence in Aston Martin’s ability to stay ahead of McLaren in the world championship battle. He noted that McLaren had been quicker over the weekend but believed Aston Martin had enough points advantage to maintain a comfortable distance. However, he acknowledged the tight competition from Mercedes and Ferrari and the need to stay vigilant.
More about Formula 1 setback
- Alonso satisfied with seventh place in British GP – Motorsport.com article discussing Fernando Alonso’s satisfaction with his seventh-place finish in the British Grand Prix and his thoughts on the team’s performance.
- Aston Martin promises more upgrades after Silverstone – Autosport article detailing Aston Martin’s plans to introduce more upgrades in the upcoming races following their performance at Silverstone.
- Alonso’s perspective on long-term development and approach – Formula 1 article featuring Fernando Alonso’s views on the long-term development of Aston Martin and the importance of a relaxed approach to performance.
- Fernando Alonso’s comments on Aston Martin’s championship battle – GPblog article highlighting Alonso’s confidence in Aston Martin’s ability to maintain an advantage over McLaren in the world championship battle and his thoughts on the competition from Mercedes and Ferrari.
5 comments
Aston Martin facing tough time. Alonso thinks they shouldnt stress too much. car better than expected this yr. long term picture imp! go astin!
alonso thinks aston martin needs to stay calm and not get stressed. they’re fighting for good positions this year. be happy with p7! keep pushing!
fernando alonso did ok in the british gp but he said the team wasnt fast enough. they struggled with pace. hopefully in hungary they do bettrr!
silverstone was tough for alonso and the team. not enough speed. but they still got decent points. need to analyze things and do better next time.
so aston martin had a dip in form, but alonso says they’re not worried. gotta stay relaxed and focus on the big picture. can’t win every race!