Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s present System 1 type is “not ok” 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 presently 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 labeled only one second behind ninth-placed Alex Albon. He says the drivers are having to be affected person with the workforce however emphasised the necessity for enhancements.
“Nothing we are able to do,” Alonso mentioned. “I imply, we’re in our workforce’s palms, and I believe Lance [Stroll] and myself, we’re attempting to do the perfect we are able to each weekend. One impressed weekend, like this from my aspect, I do know it’s — Monza 2024 from Alonso — going to be utterly nameless however I believe 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 kind of weekends that I used to be a 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, upset about that.
“We must be affected person. We have to perceive that the large goal is 2026. However on the identical time, I believe as a workforce, we might settle for not being within the top-four battle. They’re high groups and they’re effectively in entrance of us. However now to be behind Williams, behind Haas, behind Toro Rosso, I believe we have to increase the bar a bit bit. We have to get higher.”
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 believe till we now have an improve on the automobile, that is what it’s, and this isn’t ok,” he mentioned. “Not ok in Monza. Not good in Zandvoort, in Spa, in Hungary. So I don’t assume there’s going to be a giant change in Baku or Singapore or Austin until we carry new elements.
“That’s the plan. The workforce is conscious of the scenario. The workforce 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 will likely be our battle.
“I believe 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 have 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 predicted to be confirmed to be becoming a member of the workforce subsequent week, Alonso downplayed how a lot instant influence the legendary designer might have given what Aston Martin already has at its disposal.
“Properly, there’s nonetheless solely rumors, and I believe it’s not just one man’s job to make things better,” he mentioned. “It’s extra what we now have now and what we’re producing. Understanding what goes in the suitable route, what goes within the fallacious route, and attempt to put together 2025 in a greater method.”
