Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s present Method 1 kind is “not adequate” after what he described as an “impressed weekend” of driving solely netted him an Eleventh-place end on the Italian Grand Prix.
Aston Martin is at present fifth within the constructors’ championship however has scored simply six factors throughout the final 4 races, failing to get on the board in Monza. That got here regardless of Alonso believing he outperformed the automobile in Italy as he was categorised only one second behind ninth-placed Alex Albon. He says the drivers are having to be affected person with the crew however emphasised the necessity for enhancements.
“Nothing we will do,” Alonso mentioned. “I imply, we’re in our crew’s arms, and I feel Lance [Stroll] and myself, we’re attempting to do the most effective we will each weekend. One impressed weekend, like this from my aspect, I do know it’s — Monza 2024 from Alonso — going to be fully nameless however I feel this yr Lance and myself have been very shut — two or three seconds away on the finish of the race is all the time in entrance or behind.
“And [Monza] was a type of weekends that I used to be a little bit bit higher, and I used to be pleased with the automobile and pushing to the extent that perhaps was past 100%, and that was P11. So yeah, dissatisfied about that.
“We must be affected person. We have to perceive that the massive goal is 2026. However on the similar time, I feel as a crew, we might settle for not being within the top-four battle. They’re prime groups and they’re effectively in entrance of us. However now to be behind Williams, behind Haas, behind Toro Rosso, I feel we have to increase the bar a little bit bit. We have to get higher.”
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Alonso doesn’t count on to see Aston Martin being extra aggressive in Baku or Singapore, as he believes the automobile’s present stage was on show in Italy.
“No. I feel till we now have an improve on the automobile, that is what it’s, and this isn’t adequate,” he mentioned. “Not adequate in Monza. Not good in Zandvoort, in Spa, in Hungary. So I don’t suppose there’s going to be an enormous change in Baku or Singapore or Austin except we carry new components.
“That’s the plan. The crew is conscious of the state of affairs. The crew is working flat out. So yeah, we preserve united. We preserve pushing. Final weekend was one level. [Monza] was shut to 2 factors, and that might be our battle.
“I feel we nonetheless have time to react. It’s the primary of September. McLaren improved in 4 months from final to the rostrum. So we now have clear examples. Additionally, Mercedes began the identical as us. We had been stage with Mercedes for the primary 4 races, and so they received three races already this yr. So I’m not a fan of excuses.”
Though Adrian Newey is anticipated to be confirmed to be becoming a member of the crew subsequent week, Alonso downplayed how a lot speedy impression the legendary designer might have given what Aston Martin already has at its disposal.
“Properly, there’s nonetheless solely rumors, and I feel it’s not just one man’s job to sort things,” he mentioned. “It’s extra what we now have now and what we’re producing. Understanding what goes in the correct path, what goes within the incorrect path, and attempt to put together 2025 in a greater manner.”
