The Japanese Grand Prix leaves us with very negative evidence for Aston Martin, it is one of the worst cars on the grid and only the quality of Fernando Alonso manages to cover up the deficiencies of a team that is adrift, as evidenced by the last position of a Lance Stroll, unable to trouble the penultimate car in the race, Borteleto with Sauber.
Alonso hides Aston Martin’s embarrassments
Aston Martin is fortunate not only to have one of the best drivers on the F1 grid, he is also a warrior who does not give up and who will give his all to get the most out of whatever they give him. He came close to putting the AMR25 in the points in the Japanese race, something unthinkable and impossible under normal circumstances, as we saw in the race. Fernando Alonso achieved thirteenth place in qualifying, started one place ahead due to the penalty to Carlos Sainz, and gained another position at the start. In the race nothing happened, no incidents or rain, it was impossible to progress like that, but he made the most of it to maintain his position and keep the options open that an incident would put him in a top 10 unthinkable for anyone.
To make matters worse, during the race there was only one pit stop, and Alonso’s was very bad, 4.4 seconds. If there was any chance of getting into the points, it vanished after the tyre change, Oliver Bearman with the Haas was unattainable, it was that tough. Luckily, he didn’t compromise eleventh place.
Fernando Alonso explained it like this after the race: “No one will remember P11 at Suzuka, but it’s one of my best races. I think I got the most out of the car and a little more.”
”We’re not even in the top 18″
Fernando Alonso was just as blunt when asked if he could have entered the points with a different strategy. With an ironic smile, hiding an absolute resignation for Aston Martin’s drift, Fernando Alonso believes that they are now the worst team on the grid.
“I guess we’re not fast enough to be in the top 18, being eleventh is a minor miracle.” ‘I got the most out of the car and a little bit more,’ ”we don’t have enough pace, I hope we can make progress.”
One of Aston Martin’s improvements for the current season, according to what they had announced, was their improvement in top speed, but Alonso shows the reality of the team, which is that “we have the slowest car on the straight”.
A slap on the wrist for Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso’s statements, under an ironic smile, are nothing more than a reflection of resignation and his statements are a scolding of the team in every sense. Aston Martin has invested a lot of money in improving all aspects of the team, and although the team’s goal is focused on 2026, the developments of recent years should be noticeable. But on the contrary, the team is getting worse and worse.
It is hard to understand how in 2023 Alonso was on the podium eight times and, since then, everything has been a series of missteps until they became what they are now, one of the worst teams on the F1 grid, if not the worst.
Aston Martin has a lot to improve if it wants to become one of the best teams on the grid in the coming years, starting with the ability to react and greater self-criticism. And they must start this season if they want to progress for the future. They are not being asked to fight for victories or podiums, but they do need to have the ability to lead the midfield. We will see if there are any changes at the next race, but Alonso predicts that it will continue to be difficult.
“Bahrain is going to be very different. I think it will be a difficult weekend, but we are going to keep trying, we hit the wall today. We are not going to give up.” ”In Bahrain we will have another opportunity after the winter tests to learn from the first three races and I hope we can continue developing the car.”