In the latest race, Fernando Alonso issued a warning to the struggling Aston Martin Formula 1 team after failing to score any points. His message was clear: “We need to work harder, talk less, and deliver more.” While Aston Martin’s efforts are commendable, Alonso is right to point out that the rate of improvement in the car’s performance is not satisfactory. Although the car showed promising speed in the first five races, it has since fluctuated between fifth and ninth place. In the Spanish Grand Prix, Aston Martin finished sixth, just ahead of Sauber. Despite this, Alonso expressed unexpected satisfaction with the result, considering their initial pessimistic predictions. However, he was less optimistic about the upcoming races in Austria and Silverstone, which have similar characteristics to Barcelona’s challenging corners and high-speed sections. Alonso emphasized the need for hard work and less talk in order to deliver better results, which is the team’s ultimate goal.
While there are upgrades planned, possibly for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alonso expressed concern about the team’s slow progress. He eagerly anticipates the upgrades but acknowledges that previous attempts to improve the car did not yield the desired results. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that any changes made to the car deliver the expected performance improvements. Aston Martin had a decent start to the season, although it did not reach the same level of success as in 2023 when Alonso achieved six podium finishes in the first eight races. The team consistently battled with McLaren to be the fourth-fastest car, securing top six finishes in three races. The car’s performance during qualifying was particularly impressive, thanks to its ability to optimize tire usage and generate good grip for a single fast lap. However, the team’s performance has declined since then, except for a brief resurgence in Canada where they scored their highest number of points for the year. Alonso and Lance Stroll finished sixth and seventh, taking advantage of the track’s characteristics that suited the car. However, the Aston Martin struggles in long, fast corners and lacks downforce, according to Alonso.
Generating ample downforce is relatively easy with the current generation of F1 cars, but the challenge lies in doing so in a controlled manner without causing bouncing or instability. Maintaining a good balance through control of aero characteristics is crucial. Unfortunately, Aston Martin’s attempts to improve the car and expand its performance window have made it more difficult to drive. Alonso mentions that they have tried different setups, but the car behaves differently in long corners. Changes made to the car’s characteristics after introducing a new package in Bahrain have further complicated matters. However, Alonso expresses confidence that they are gaining a better understanding and have a plan to achieve better results. He looks forward to the upcoming races before the Hungary upgrade, which he believes will contribute to their progress. Aston Martin’s performance director, Tom McCullough, acknowledges the challenges they face in achieving their goals both mechanically and aerodynamically. However, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential to make relative gains throughout the season.
Alonso’s comments about the underwhelming performance of the upgrades and the changes in the car’s characteristics may seem critical, but his positive outlook on the Hungary upgrade offsets any concerns. However, knowing Alonso, it’s hard not to see his remarks as a way to apply pressure on the team to make significant strides towards challenging the top four teams, similar to what McLaren and Mercedes have achieved.