Fernando Alonso experienced a promising qualifying session at Suzuka, initially securing the second-fastest time in Q1. However, as the session progressed, he slipped to fifth place in both Q2 and Q3. Despite this, Alonso noted that the pace of improvement from Aston Martin’s car updates exceeded expectations.
During Friday’s practice, Alonso used the previous AMR24 car package, while his teammate Lance Stroll tested the upgrades for comparison. The upgrades focused on a revised sidepod and floor area changes. Alonso expressed satisfaction with the new package, highlighting its competitiveness during qualifying.
Alonso acknowledged the unexpected competitiveness, noting that Aston Martin had significantly narrowed the gap from their position six months prior, now only four-tenths away from pole position. However, he remains cautious about maintaining fifth place in the Grand Prix, particularly with strong competitors starting directly behind him.
Reflecting on previous races, Alonso admitted that Aston Martin has shown strength in qualifying but struggled to maintain positions on Sundays. He anticipates potential challenges during the race, especially from drivers like Oscar Piastri, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc.
Alonso remains open to the race’s unpredictability and is proud of his qualifying performance. He understands that maintaining a position during the race may prove difficult but remains optimistic about the team’s capabilities.
Alonso agreed with the observation that the F1 grid has become more competitive in qualifying, with the gap between teams narrowing significantly. However, he emphasized that race pace, particularly on Sundays, reveals the true performance of the cars, which is where Aston Martin has faced challenges.
Ultimately, Alonso believes that the team’s true pace lies in Sunday’s performance, suggesting that some issues may be masked during qualifying due to factors like tire grip. Despite this, he remains focused on maximizing the team’s potential in the upcoming race.
