According to words from Fernando Alonso, the Aston Martin team’s appraisal of their own showing positions the squad in the eighth spot regarding unadulterated swiftness. Seemingly remarkable moments during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin seemed inflated due to certain factors.
Alonso achieved fourth position in the first practice session, sixth in sprint qualifying, and then commenced and concluded the grand prix in 10th, having been removed from the sprint race due to an initial-corner incident. While Alonso frequently accentuates his own input concerning his team’s achievements, the assertion carries weight since the weekend featured a sprint race, which characteristically disrupts the normal order, and Pirelli executed a modification concerning the harder tyre mixes.
The majority of teams opted to utilize the firmest C1 tyres solely during practice, where it demonstrably lagged behind the C3 medium.
“It’s a sprint weekend, creating a slight combination and adjustment period for certain individuals, including novices, to familiarize themselves with the track,” he conveyed following Saturday’s sprint race and qualifying session.
“Therefore, I’m unsure, but according to our metrics, we’re the eighth swiftest team. Yesterday [Friday], we secured the sixth and tenth positions [colleague Lance Stroll achieved 14th in sprint qualifying]. I’m content in that aspect, but I don’t consider this weekend especially favorable for Aston.”
Following the grand prix, Alonso circled back to the notion of Aston Martin’s one-lap velocity exceeding its race tempo.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
“We showed less pace compared to the vehicles ahead and were closely shadowed by the Racing Bull [piloted by Liam Lawson],” he stated. “They maintained a position within a second of us throughout the race, suggesting they possessed greater velocity than us. Indeed, we encountered increased difficulties during the race compared to other sessions during the weekend.
“We seem somewhat quicker in qualifying but less competitive during the race. We must address this deficiency for the concluding five races.”
Alonso forfeited a pair of positions at the starting grid – to Nico Hulkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda – but reclaimed them when Carlos Sainz collided with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, prematurely concluding his race and relegating the Mercedes driver to a prolonged recovery from the rear of the pack.
Hulkenberg extended his advantage to 14s during the race’s final stages, a space subsequently occupied by Oliver Bearman following a spin while attempting to overtake Tsunoda. Lawson, who secured 11th place, remained within 2-3s of Alonso for the majority of the race, narrowing the gap to within one second after their pit stops but ultimately failing to surpass him.
When questioned whether securing 10th position was the result of proficient execution, considering the anticipation of possessing the eighth-fastest vehicle, Alonso adjusted his assessment downward.
“Perhaps we rank ninth today,” he remarked. “Because I’m uncertain of who occupies the ninth and tenth spots. I believe Alpine might be the team encountering more challenges, but after Alpine, I’m unsure.
“Haas holds a clear advantage, evidenced by Ollie’s impressive performance. Sauber undoubtedly leads, while Williams operates at a different level. Currently, there aren’t many teams trailing us. Achieving 10th and securing a point is a positive outcome, but we must enhance our performance for Mexico.”
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Chief trackside officer Mike Krack conveyed a more neutral view, underscoring the variations in strategies – with a preference for medium-soft mixes among most teams, some outliers deviated – alongside the influence of traffic. Alonso’s colleague was one of the three drivers who started with soft-compound tires, alongside Charles Leclerc and Gabriel Bortoleto, while Esteban Ocon, Alex Albon, and Isack Hadjar opted for hards.
Neither of these fit into Pirelli’s expectations since the hards proved too slow, and the softs were expected to function only as a component of a two-stop strategy. Bortoleto gained no advantage from this, but Leclerc and Stroll prolonged their opening stints adequately to stop just once, enabling Stroll to ascend from 19th on the grid to 12th.
“A detailed examination of the analysis is required,” Krack stated. “Due to some individuals utilizing soft tires, others hard tires, and yet others medium tires.
“I believe we must thoroughly review these numbers, ascertain who encountered traffic, who benefitted from DRS, and other relevant aspects, before conclusively determining our position in terms of pace.
“There are races, circuits where our performance improves, and those where the vehicle exhibits strengths and weaknesses, similar to other vehicles. Certain weekends, such as in Budapest, prove more favorable, while others, exemplified by Baku, do not.
“I believe the season-long challenge lies in maximizing potential, securing points whenever feasible, and performing optimally. The analysis will be executed before our review.”
