Alonso call for investigation in pace loss

Fernando Alonso Urges Aston Martin to Analyze Pace Gap Following Austrian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has emphasized the need for Aston Martin to delve into the reasons behind their pace deficit at the Austrian Grand Prix, a race where he found himself outside the podium positions for only the third time this season.

The seasoned driver, who had secured an impressive six top-three finishes in the first eight races alongside Aston Martin, faced a challenging weekend at the Spielberg circuit. Unlike his previous standout performances, Alonso struggled to insert himself into the lead battle, leaving Red Bull and Ferrari to dominate the front. As the checkered flag fell, Alonso concluded the race in a distant sixth place. Following post-race penalties for track limit infringements, his position improved to fifth, while teammate Lance Stroll moved from 10th to ninth due to the same penalties.

Analyzing Aston Martin's performance over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Alonso commented, "It was nothing wrong with the car, to be honest, but we were not fast enough. The balance felt good, everything felt good, but we struggled the whole weekend." He further highlighted a trend, drawing parallels to the previous year, when Aston Martin faced a similar challenge in Austria. Alonso pointed out, "It was the same last year, Aston was not super-fast in Austria, Haas was very fast and they were fast also this year, so there is a kind of similarity on the performance of some teams. We need to understand why like this next year we don’t come here and we’re slow again."

In response to queries about whether Aston Martin had taken a somewhat conservative approach to the Sprint event at Silverstone, Alonso hinted at a more potent showing in the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix. He suggested, "There will be more to come from us when the format returns in Belgium at the end of the month." Alonso's optimism and his drive to uncover the underlying reasons behind their performance dip underscore Aston Martin's commitment to refining their strategies and honing their competitive edge.

As the Formula 1 season progresses, Alonso's candid assessment of the team's performance highlights the complexity of the sport and the constant pursuit of excellence. Aston Martin's ability to dissect their challenges and make the necessary adjustments will be pivotal in ensuring they remain a force to be reckoned with on the track. As the focus shifts to future races, the motorsport community will keenly observe Aston Martin's efforts to bridge the gap and regain their position at the forefront of the competition.