Fernando Alonso is aware of Aston Martin might not be a frontrunner in System 1 subsequent season, however expects his group to leap ahead with the brand new rules in 2026.
After a promising begin to the 2023 season, when Alonso achieved six podium finishes within the first eight rounds, Aston’s efficiency relative to its rivals stalled as McLaren surged forward. It solely received two additional top-three outcomes that yr; none in 2024, with a finest results of fifth in Jeddah courtesy of the Spaniard.
The AMR24’s lack of competitiveness led to former Purple Bull aerodynamicist Dan Fallows’ elimination from the position of technical director.
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2025 would be the fourth and final season beneath the present rule set, with efficiency beneficial properties anticipated to get smaller and smaller. As a consequence, it appears unlikely that Aston can threaten the now-established high 4 groups.
Requested if he was ready to be affected person and bide his time for 2026 if Aston had been to spend one other yr within the midfield, Alonso mentioned: “Sure, we could have loads of wind tunnel hours.”
The 2-time F1 world champion is referring to the Aerodynamic Testing Laws, which permit extra wind tunnel runs and extra CFD exams for worse-placed groups, based mostly on a sliding scale from first to final place within the constructors’ championship.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24
Picture by: Lubomir Asenov / Motorsport Pictures
As such, Aston will take pleasure in 864 wind-tunnel runs within the first six months of 2025 in comparison with 672 just for reigning champions McLaren, earlier than the standings following June’s Austrian Grand Prix are used to determine the brand new order for the subsequent six months.
The timing is essential as improvement for the new-for-2026 technical rules is allowed from subsequent January. Moreover, Aston Martin’s new Silverstone campus is near being absolutely operational following years of building, whereas former Purple Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey and former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile will begin work with the British outfit early subsequent yr.
“Now I believe we will reset, we will be taught from all of the difficulties and errors of this yr and apply these learnings into subsequent yr’s challenge,” Alonso mentioned.
“The brand new manufacturing facility is now accomplished, additionally the brand new wind tunnel goes to be open quickly. [New group CEO] Andy Cowell has already modified among the weaknesses that he discovered within the group, so we now have belief on the brand new administration, and I believe issues are shifting in the precise course, so I am completely happy for that.
“However in System 1 there aren’t many miracles – you must be affected person, you must discover that candy spot within the automotive, you must discover that improve that actually awakens the whole lot in these ground-effect automobiles.”
Alonso needs Aston to comply with McLaren’s instance, because the Woking-based squad propelled itself to the entrance of the sphere with one single improve package deal on the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, which laid the foundations for its title-winning marketing campaign this yr.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
“They began final after which received races within the mid-season and we have to be taught from them,” Alonso insisted. “It is a good instance of how issues might be executed.
“In Austria they launched a package deal, they gained six, seven tenths or no matter – and that was the start of a collection of packages that put their automotive because the quickest, finally. In order that Austria package deal, if we need to name it that, is one thing we have to work on.”
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On this article
Ben Vinel
System 1
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin Racing
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