Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin target through mid-season struggles
Fernando Alonso isn’t thinking about life after Aston Martin just yet, remaining laser-focused on his years of involvement as a driver.
The Spaniard’s current deal with Aston Martin comes to an end at the conclusion of 2024, although Alonso has hinted that he’d quite like to remain involved with Lawrence Stroll’s outfit even once his own driving career comes to a close.
But, as Aston Martin adjust to figuring out life closer to the front of F1 after taking a significant step forward this season, Alonso is eager to use his experience to be able to help keep the Silverstone-based squad close to the sharp end.
Fernando Alonso: There’s still room to improve
而2023年阿斯顿·马丁旗开得胜with multiple podium finishes, the last four races prior to the summer break have proven far more of a challenge as the team have struggled to keep up with the development progress made by other teams, such as McLaren and Mercedes.
As a result, Alonso says the obvious obstacle in transitioning into a true top-flight team is still one they must overcome, and he’s ready for the challenge of making that happen.
“不是想太多未来,思考啊n these years only,” hetold the BBC, when asked about his future with Aston Martin.
“The target is to keep growing as a team. We are finding some obstacles right now.
“We are dealing with some extra performance from our opponents, our lack of performance in certain circuits and these kinds of things. Which I find very interesting and very useful for us as a team to grow up.
“We will always find difficulties and some obstacles in the way. And it’s up to us now how to deal with those and overcome them. The team is really clever in some of the approaches it is taking now, and even if we are struggling a little bit in this middle part of the year, it will make us stronger in the future. So I am quite optimistic.”
Having turned 42 recently, how does Alonso reflect on his own performances as he settles into what he hopes is a long-term stint with Aston Martin?
“I am happy but still obviously room to improve,” he said.
“Only the first six months with the team and still there is more to come.”
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Fernando Alonso: F1 teams are betting on experience
Despite his status as F1’s eldest statesman, Alonso said he feels no difference in himself compared to when he was winning titles almost two decades ago.
“I think people already saw that it’s not a big change when you’re 41 or when you’re 25. It’s more in your head, in the motivation, how you approach the weekends…” he said.
“For example, the teams are now betting more on experience, like Daniel [Ricciardo] at AlphaTauri and things like that. So it’s not about youth, it’s just about going fast.”
Reflecting on his first six months of working with Aston Martin, Alonso said he’s still pinching himself about how his team switch from Alpine has worked out so well for him.
“Incredible, a dream, the first half of the season,” he told media, including PlanetF1.com, after the Belgian Grand Prix.
“We are P3 in the Constructors’ Championship in front of Ferrari, we are P3 in the Drivers’ Championship together with Lewis. It was impossible to think this way in Bahrain.
2I’m happy where I am. There is a project here into the future and I’m very proud of it.”
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