Fernando Alonso has kicked off the Formula 1 preseason with positive momentum. Despite completing the fewest laps on the first day of testing in Bahrain, the Spanish driver has already improved on his best lap time from last year. His Aston Martin AMR25 appears to have taken a significant step forward, particularly in corner entry performance. Now, the big question is whether this progress will translate into a competitive season for the two-time world champion.
Reasons to Believe: Alonso’s Car Shows Clear Progress
The early signs from Alonso’s AMR25 suggest improvements over last season’s model. In the morning session, Alonso set a lap time of 1:31.874, a significant improvement from the 1:33.385 he recorded on the same day of testing in 2024—although track conditions were different. This suggests that the Aston Martin AMR25 is a clear step ahead of its predecessor.
One of the standout performances came in the second sector of the Sakhir circuit, where Alonso posted the fastest time of the session. This sector features more corners than any other part of the track and demands high levels of stability, traction, and cornering ability—areas where Aston Martin struggled last year. The early pace indicates that the team has made key improvements in these areas.
Fernando Alonso: A Contender for the Front of the Grid?
Although Alonso completed fewer laps than other drivers, he topped the timesheets at various points during the session. This, combined with the nearly two-second improvement over 2024, has fans dreaming of an Aston Martin capable of fighting at the front.
It’s still too early to draw absolute conclusions, but the initial impressions suggest that, unlike its predecessor, the AMR25 is a more balanced car and easier to drive. The corner entry stability and traction performance have been evident, and Alonso looks comfortable behind the wheel. The team has prioritized aerodynamics and car setup to maximize race pace, a crucial factor for the upcoming season.
Alonso and Aston Martin: Ready for the 2025 Challenge
With just two weeks until the first race of the season, Fernando Alonso is gearing up for a campaign where he hopes to return to the top. His performance in Bahrain suggests that the Aston Martin AMR25 could be highly competitive on twisty circuits, a key factor in modern F1 racing.
Throughout the testing session, Alonso focused on fine-tuning the car, making setup adjustments and testing different engine maps, rather than pushing for outright lap times. Data collection remains the top priority, and Alonso’s experience and technical knowledge are proving crucial for the team’s development ahead of the season opener.
While there is still a long way to go, the early signs are encouraging. If Aston Martin can maintain this upward trajectory, Fernando Alonso could find himself battling with the leading teams. Fans, and Alonso himself, have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about a season that could see him fighting for podiums once again.