It has not been the simplest of seasons for Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin. Whereas the group was the darlings of the paddock early final season, the scenario has modified since then. For the time being they discover themselves mired in fifth place within the Components 1 Constructors’ standings, nicely forward of sixth-place Visa Money App RB F1 Workforce, however nicely off the tempo set by fourth-place Mercedes.
And in line with Alonso, their scenario won’t enhance this weekend in Budapest.
Talking Thursday on the FIA Press Convention forward of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alonso opened up in regards to the group’s struggles. Particularly, the motive force famous simply how tough it’s for the group to get the AMR24 into the perfect working window.
“Properly, I believe it’s fairly tough to have the automobile in the precise window in the mean time for us. We’re struggling to maximise the potential of the automobile. I believe in Barcelona, we began the weekend on the incorrect foot, and we couldn’t recuperate from that unhealthy FP1, let’s say,” stated Alonso on Thursday. “In Austria, with the Dash weekend, you solely have one free follow. And yeah, once more, we didn’t optimize the bundle. And in Silverstone, yeah, we had slightly bit extra regular weekend. It was slightly bit cooler as nicely, which in all probability did assist our efficiency. And yeah, let’s see right here. It’s one other scorching observe, perhaps just like Barcelona by way of nook speeds and issues. So it’s a problem for us.”
Alonso then elaborated on the insecurity he has had within the automobile this season, in addition to how a few of the inconsistency with the AMR24 has led to “dangerous” choices by him and the group.
“A couple of issues, not just one. As I stated earlier than, I believe the automobile will not be simple to drive and it’s slightly bit unpredictable at instances,” started Alonso. “So this clearly removes confidence to the motive force, when you find yourself not in a position to push and to belief the automobile that can do the identical in each nook, in each lap. So this, let’s say, inconsistency is one thing that isn’t nice when you find yourself behind the wheel, and I’m struggling extra this yr than beforehand. Yeah, after which clearly when margins are so tight and you might be in a detailed battle for one or two factors, generally you’re taking extra dangerous choices.
“Generally you gamble on a technique. Generally you threat greater than what it’s best to within the begin or on a set-up selection that we went for. As an alternative of adjusting one thing minimal earlier than qualifying, we alter the entire automobile earlier than qualifying as a result of we all know that with a present automobile in FP3, we won’t be able to attain multiple or two factors, so that you threat it extra.
“So there are all the time penalties with issues that you just do when you find yourself used to struggle for larger positions and you end up simply aiming for one or two factors, generally you threat all of it to have a high 5 or being out of the factors will not be a giant loss. These sort of issues we be taught so much throughout this season and doubtless has been our, or my, private largest issue.”
So far as what Alonso expects this weekend, in addition to subsequent weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, he isn’t setting his sights too excessive.
“Troublesome to say. I believe it relies upon slightly bit observe to trace and it’s very shut within the midfield. I’d love to complete each races within the factors and that might be an excellent signal that the brand new bundle is delivering what we anticipate,” described Alonso. “I believe the highest 4 groups are slightly bit too far-off from our attain in the mean time. So yeah, I believe we have to do smaller steps on the time and being within the factors on each races that might be in all probability the goal.”
Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll will get their first crack on the circuit in Budapest later at present with a pair of follow periods forward of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
