F1 News: Fernando Alonso Predicts "Real Difficulty" For Aston Martin In New Phase
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso reckons that his team is entering into a new phase in Formula 1 racing, with both drivers making their way into the top ten. The challenge that lies ahead is the arduous part, as it requires uniqueness and innovation to compete with the pack in front and win on a constant basis.
The Spaniard reflected on an eventful and positive first year with the Silverstone outfit. Finishing fourth in the Drivers' Standings, he secured eight podiums including three P2 finishes.
Considering Aston Martin's massive improvement in the first half of the season before peaking out prematurely mid-season, Alonso suggests that the team performed beyond his expectations. But, next year, making progress won't be as easy since the challenge to ascend places on the grid is now more demanding than before. He told the media:
"The starting point is a little bit better than what I thought. But now the real difficulty starts.
"I think the first step – I will not say that it's easy to be competitive – but I think with so many examples, like Alpine last year, is to be sometimes even in the top five or something, when we were in a happy place some weekends.
"We see AlphaTauri, how much they've improved during this season. So, let's say that that first step, to become a top 10 contender, is the easiest part.
"Now comes the tricky period for Aston Martin. I think the next two or three years – to find that extra bit, to create something that no one has in that moment, to be creative, to be innovative, I think that's maybe the biggest question mark that we need to face, and I think no one has the answer."
Alonso confirmed that the team has a better understanding of their car and it knows which direction to head in for the development of the AMR24. However, with the trend changing rapidly, the team will have to keep up with the changing times. He added:
"I think there are clear indications of some parts of the car that they were underperforming for a few events.
"They were also different philosophies on the pitlane, but also for us in the way you try to extract the performance of these cars.
"And I think now with all the experiments and all the knowledge of this year, we think we understand better the direction to develop the car.
"But these things are moving constantly – I don't think that there is a magic bullet and a recipe to develop the car. If so, it would be very easy for everyone.
"But things that you maybe think now and trust now, in six months' time because maybe the trend on the pitlane is to maybe move the airflow in a different way, they get outdated and very quickly. So we need to keep an eye [on things]."
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