Fernando Alonso was fighting for regular podiums at this stage last year. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, Aston Martin is no longer a front-running team. Despite showing potential in qualifying, the AMR24 is nowhere near contending at the front on race day. With this in mind, Alonso is not especially optimistic about his chances this weekend.
In Formula 1, going from ‘hero to zero’ is not an uncommon phenomenon. One bad race can significantly damage a driver or team’s perception.
However, few teams have experienced such a dramatic downfall as Aston Martin’s over the last twelve months.
The team led by Mike Krack was arguably the second-fastest team to start last season. They are now barely fifth-fastest, with a series of ineffective upgrades (in combination with last year’s technical directive aimed at flexi-wings) hampering the team.
For the time being, there is no immediate solution for Lawrence Stroll’s squad.
This is why Alonso kept a collected approach when asked about his expectations for this weekend in Spain:
“Well, we’ll see. It is difficult to know what can happen, realistically,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
“I suppose between 8th and 12th, which is our natural position this year.
“Of course, arriving at your home Gand Prix with all the fans to say you expect to finish 10th? You always want to keep high hopes.
“Those of your fans, your own and those of the team. So it is normal to dream of a little more, no? Hopefully, we can have a great result.”
Despite being fairly anonymous in Canada, Alonso managed to finish in 6th – one of his best results of the year. This uninspiring result is emblematic of where Aston Martin has fallen.
The Silverstone-based outfit is now firmly in the midfield.
To be clear, this does not mean the team’s predicament is beyond repair. Mercedes (like McLaren and Ferrari) have proven how quickly the tides can turn.
It is up to Aston Martin’s technical team, led by Dan Fallows, to prove they are capable of unlocking the necessary performance to climb back up the field.
