Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso Admits the Battle for Points Is Getting Harder
Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion, once again found himself staring at an 11th-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The seasoned driver, who has experienced many highs and lows throughout his storied career, expressed his concern that scoring points this season will be an enormous challenge.
After putting in an all-out performance on the track, Alonso’s car was only able to reach the maximum level the machine could achieve under the current circumstances. Reflecting on his race, the Aston Martin pilot said, “I gave everything on track.” Yet, despite his efforts, he struggled to keep pace with the frontrunners. “Keeping the rhythm with the cars ahead was extremely tough because we weren’t fast enough,” he admitted.
A Hard Lesson from Saudi Arabia
For Alonso, finishing 11th is possibly the worst position that can be achieved under the circumstances—he sees it as the lowest finish that can realistically be salvaged. “Finishing 11th is likely the worst position that can be reached, and we will have to get used to that. It will be really tough to score points this year,” he added.
The Saudi Arabian round has not been kind to Aston Martin so far. Over the race weekend, the team struggled to show competitive pace. In fact, they were the only outfit that failed to improve their lap times compared to last year. Alonso was clear: if the team as a whole does not make a significant performance boost, fighting for points in the championship might turn into a season-long battle.
External Factors and Unlucky Circumstances
Photographer: Sam Bloxham
Alonso also highlighted that the final outcome of the race might have looked slightly better due to troubles faced by other drivers. “We finished 11th because Tsunoda and Gasly collided in the first lap, and Lawson incurred a 10-second penalty. Had these incidents not occurred, we might have ended up in 14th.” This observation underscores the idea that sometimes the final classification isn’t solely down to one’s own pace on the track but also to the chaos that unfolds behind you.
While he acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances that aided his position, Alonso’s overarching message was one of realism mixed with cautious hope. “But I still want to emphasize that we have a long season ahead of us,” he said. In other words, while today’s result was far from ideal, there’s still plenty of time for the team to find its form and push for improvement.
Early-Season Performance and Future Prospects
Alonso’s comments come at a time when Aston Martin is under increasing pressure to produce consistent results. With other teams showing flickers of their potential regularly, the gap between them seems to be widening. For a driver like Alonso—who has repeatedly proven his mettle and demonstrated that he can extract performance from nearly any car—the current struggles highlight how challenging the competition has become in Formula 1.
The 11th-place finish in Saudi Arabia was not a result of a single bad moment; it was the product of a car that, despite Alonso’s best efforts, struggled with its inherent limitations. He believes that if the team wants to fight for a top-10 finish and regularly score points, a “very serious performance increase” is absolutely necessary. This isn’t just about fine-tuning the car—it’s about overhauling certain aspects of its performance to compete with the absolute best on the grid.
On-Track Incident: A Close Call at Turn One
The Grand Prix also provided a tense moment early in the race. In Jeddah, during the opening corners, Alonso nearly made contact with Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto. The Spaniard recalled the incident with a shake of his head: “It was a very close call. Passing on the outside at that point was risky.” He explained further, “He clearly didn’t see me coming, so I had to make a maneuver to avoid contact, and because I couldn’t complete the corner, I immediately lost position. I did that to avoid any penalty.” This incident, while not resulting in a charge or sustained damage, added to the sense of unease about the car’s overall performance in critical moments.
Technical Limitations and the Search for Pace
Alonso’s struggle to keep up with the leaders isn’t just down to a lack of pace—it also reflects the technical constraints inherent in the current package of the Aston Martin car. “It wasn’t just about my performance; it was about the car too. We have to realistically accept that our machine can only go so fast,” he remarked after the race. It’s a statement that conveys both frustration and a measured understanding of the challenges ahead.
With several races remaining before the end of the season, the pressures on the engineering team are mounting. The goal is to extract every fraction of a second from the car, especially in sectors where it currently falls short compared to its rivals. Alonso’s performance, despite its shortcomings, serves as a reminder that even world champions can struggle when the machinery isn’t quite up to the task.
What’s Next for Alonso and Aston Martin?
Looking into the future, Alonso is determined to push both himself and the team to overcome these challenges. “We have to improve—it’s as simple as that. Every lap, every corner, every moment on track counts,” he stated with a sense of urgency. The team’s focus will shift to fine-tuning every aspect of the car, from aerodynamics to power unit performance, in the hope of breaking into the top 10 regularly.
For Alonso, every race is a learning experience. The long and grueling F1 season demands adaptation, not just from the car but also from the driver. “I’ve seen a lot in my career, and I know that even in the worst situations, there are lessons to be learned,” he reflected. His commitment to giving everything on track is undiminished, yet he’s realistic about the hurdles that lie ahead.
At the same time, the overall competitiveness of the championship leaves him with mixed feelings about his prospects. “Scoring points this year is going to be really tough, and I know that,” Alonso admitted. There’s a level of honesty in that statement—an acknowledgment that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the results are subject to many variables outside your control.
The Bigger Picture: Title Dreams and Uncertain Futures
While Alonso remains focused on the immediate task of climbing up the order and fighting for every available point, the broader context of the season also weighs heavily on him. With rivals steadily improving and the tight nature of the championship, every misstep could prove costly.
Many pundits have noted that if Aston Martin cannot significantly improve its performance, the points gap will only widen. Alonso’s own frustrations mirror those of a team that has traditionally punched above its weight—relied on the brilliance of its veteran star to compensate for inherent limitations.
On the flip side, Alonso’s performance on Sunday—even in a struggling car—was emblematic of why he remains one of the sport’s greats. Pushing the car to its absolute limit, fighting for every position, and remaining composed in high-pressure scenarios are qualities that have defined his career. Yet, as he candidly puts it, “11th place might be the worst position we could finish, and we’re going to have to accept that reality.”
A Call for a Unified Effort
It’s not just about Alonso; it’s about a collective challenge for Aston Martin. The task ahead requires every member of the team—from the engineers and strategists to the pit crew and support staff—to come together and elevate the car’s performance. Alonso’s honest assessment serves as a rallying cry: there is work to be done, and every single effort counts.
“I believe we’re capable of much more,” he declared after the race. “I need a very serious performance boost, and so does the team. We owe it to ourselves and to the fans to keep fighting.” His words, though tinged with frustration, were also full of determination—a clear message that despite the setbacks, the battle is far from over.
Final Thoughts: A Long Season Ahead
Alonso’s post-race comments resonate with the understanding that Formula 1 is as much about resilience as it is about speed. He has experienced ups and downs throughout his career, and this season is no exception. The challenges faced today are hurdles that, with the right adjustments, can be overcome.
“Even though today wasn’t our best, there’s still a long season ahead,” Alonso emphasized. This blend of realism and optimism is characteristic of a driver who has seen it all and knows that a single race does not define an entire season.
As the championship unfolds, the focus now shifts not only to immediate improvements but also to preparing for those crucial moments in the second half of the season. With every race, the gap between what is and what could be becomes more apparent, and Alonso’s challenge is to convert that potential into tangible results.
