Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has made a prediction about the Formula 1 grid in 2024, suggesting that the competition could become extremely close. According to Alonso, a difference of just two-tenths of a second could have a significant impact on the outcome of races. Last season, Red Bull dominated the field, but the battle for positions behind them was highly unpredictable. Teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, and McLaren all experienced resurgences, resulting in five teams earning at least seven podium finishes for the first time in years. In the final qualifying session in Abu Dhabi, the top 18 cars were separated by only six-tenths of a second. Alonso believes that this trend of close competition will continue, making the development of cars even more crucial in the upcoming season. He acknowledges that even a small improvement of a couple of tenths of a second can completely change a team’s prospects, potentially allowing them to fight for podium finishes or secure a place in the top 10. Alonso expects the season to be highly competitive and challenging, both on and off the track, as teams work hard to bring upgrades that can make a difference.
Lance Stroll is also anticipating a convergence of teams in the upcoming season, with the current ground effect regulations remaining unchanged. The Canadian driver hopes that multiple teams will be able to compete for victories, which would make for an exhilarating spectacle for both the sport and its fans.
Although Aston Martin initially posed a significant challenge to Red Bull in the previous campaign, the team struggled to maintain their momentum due to a series of problematic upgrades. In response, the Silverstone-based squad has developed an evolution of their AMR23 car, which aims to rectify the developmental shortcomings experienced last season.
When questioned about his confidence in Aston Martin’s ability to avoid a repeat of their previous struggles, Alonso expressed his optimism. He emphasized the extensive experimentation and changes made in order to better understand the problems faced and the necessary direction for this year’s car. Alonso believes that they have gained valuable insights from last year’s mistakes and have taken them into account while developing the ’24 car, which he hopes will yield positive results.
Alonso acknowledged that the team made significant progress during the winter, although not as substantial as the previous year due to the already strong foundation established in the previous season.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com