Formula 1 is one of the sports that hides the most secrets and rumors. However, there is something that technology allows to be crystal clear, and that is the performance of each driver on the grid. And if you analyze that data individually, it shows that Fernando Alonso is still one of the best on the grid, the best in some aspects. Although for the general public everything is measured by the final results, the truth is that the individual data for each team reveals some surprising conclusions.
Measuring the drivers
One of the most obvious ways to measure the performance of each driver is simply by analyzing them alongside their teammate, as they are both driving the same machine and, therefore, talent prevails. In this regard, The Race has published a comparison of the teams that have kept their two drivers from last season, in order to have objective data on this issue. And in the case of Aston Martin, there is no doubt: Fernando Alonso has been 0.685% faster than Stroll, marking the biggest difference between teammates. He has also been faster overall when comparing all the teams, with the next closest teammates being Russell (-0.446%), Ocon (-0.222%) and Leclerc (-0.213%).
Stroll ahead of Fernando Alonso
It is curious if we take a look at the F1 drivers’ standings, because, halfway through the season, Lance Stroll is ahead of the Oviedo native.
The Canadian is in 12th place with 20 points, while the Spanish driver has only 16 points and is in 14th place. The truth is that Alonso has been far superior to Stroll throughout the season, but in the first few races, the team was not in a position to score points. However, Stroll has been the big beneficiary in three races with major incidents, managing to place his car well above its actual performance.
Since the improvements at Imola, the Spanish driver has been scoring points regularly, albeit few, closing the gap with his teammate. He beat him in Austria, but at Silverstone, the rain strategy again favored the Canadian and hurt the Asturian—Fernando complained on the radio and after the race. However, there is no doubt within the team about who is stronger this season.
Results above expectations
Fernando Alonso is performing miracle after miracle every weekend. As he has acknowledged in numerous interviews after the races, he is in top form, even managing to defy the theory of computer science and finishing above the team’s best predictions in every race he has competed in. In recent races, he has managed to finish in the top ten and has now finished in the points in four consecutive races.
Meanwhile, Stroll has repeatedly lamented not feeling comfortable with the car and after the Canadian Grand Prix he was very frustrated with his performance at home, even commenting that he did not understand how Fernando Alonso was able to do what he is doing.
What is clear is that the data does not lie, and Fernando Alonso has almost all of it in his favor. He is far outperforming his teammate and will take the lead over him in the standings in the coming races. His goal is to achieve a podium finish in the remainder of the season.