Fernando Alonso appeared before the media in the run-up to the Japanese F1 GP and referred to the improved aspects of the car and Adrian Newey‘s hand in its development and his role within the team.
Alonso and an improved AMR25
Fernando Alonso did not exceed expectations in the first two races of the year, but he hopes that things will go well in this GP so that he can be in the fight for points.
“We need to optimize the car, the set-up and the strategy as much as possible. Everything has to be perfect every weekend if we want to score points. I think that’s probably the picture for the rest of the season.”
Fernando Alonso believes that the AMR25 has similarities to last year’s, although important aspects have been improved. “There are some positive aspects, no doubt, but there are also some aspects to be corrected. I think we were more competitive in China than in Australia, but in both races we fought for points, which is more or less the same situation as last year in Abu Dhabi. So I don’t think the picture has changed much, it’s just that the teams are closer together”
Despite this, he believes it is too early to make any assessments of the car, and we will have to wait for the next GPs to draw some real conclusions.
“It’s too early to say, but I think we need more circuits and different corners. I would say that the car still has more or less the same characteristics, the same strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it just reduces the car’s room for maneuver, in a way. We tried to correct some of the inconsistencies we had last year between circuits and even laps, and I think we’re better this year. We have a car we can trust more and we can experiment a bit with the settings to get the results we’re looking for. But I think slow corners are still weak points, both on last year’s car and this year’s.
The evolution of the AMR25
Unlike other statements that the Spaniard has made to us so far this season, Fernando Alonso has been very cautious and resigned to the evolution of the AMR25 for the current season, and Adrian Newey‘s lack of involvement this year, focusing almost entirely on next season’s car with the new FIA regulations. However, he indicates that he is following developments and hopes that he can feel his hand in this season, even if it is minimal.
“I think he is more focused on next year’s car.” ”Obviously, you can’t be completely disconnected from this year’s car. I am not aware of any big ideas from Adrian for this year’s car. As I said, he’s focused on next year’s car, but I’m sure he’s having conversations from time to time to try to improve this one.”
Fernando Alonso understands the process that F1 is following, something he sees as normal and usual when there is a change in regulations.
“It’s normal in Formula 1. Whenever there is a major change in the regulations, the previous season is a bit of a cliffhanger for many teams. If you’re not fighting for the Championship, which maybe only three or four teams are competing for, for the rest it’s a season in which you try to prepare for the next one and not only improve this year’s car, but everything in general and the organization, simply to be ready for a better opportunity. So yes, I think we could be in that phase.”