Fernando Alonso, the seasoned F1 driver, is experiencing a turbulent time at Aston Martin as the 2024 season unfolds, with his former team Alpine making notable strides.
Alonso’s first season with Aston Martin in 2023 was nothing short of remarkable, boasting eight podiums – his best performance since his Ferrari days in 2013. However, the tides have turned this year, as Aston Martin finds itself struggling to keep pace, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all advancing in the bid to challenge Red Bull’s dominance.
In recent races, Alonso has only managed to gather a meager 10 points, slipping up in crucial qualifiers like those in Emilia Romagna and Monaco. Spain’s Grand Prix didn’t fare much better for the team, with Alonso qualifying 11th and his teammate Lance Stroll at 14th. A silver lining appeared as Alonso’s starting position on race day improved to 10th, thanks to Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s grid penalty. Despite this, Alonso candidly admitted to feeling a sense of relief over a result that was initially deemed worse in simulations, expressing, ‘I’m happy with the result, even if it’s painful to say in front of the home grandstands.’
The resurgence of Alpine, highlighted by Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon clinching seventh and ninth positions in Spain, adds a layer of complexity to Alonso’s predicament. Alpine’s strategic rehire of the controversial former team principal Flavio Briatore seems to be paying dividends, marking their resurgence from a rocky start this season. Although Alonso secured his championship titles with Alpine years ago, his parting from the team was marred by tension, including criticisms of unprofessionalism during contract talks in 2022.
In response to the question of Alpine surpassing Aston Martin, Alonso humorously noted that his current team is probably declining as Alpine improves. The upcoming races in Austria and Britain pose additional challenges, with Alonso predicting continued difficulties ahead of the summer break. Yet, he remains optimistic about Aston Martin’s future prospects, hinting at strategic developments that could steer them back to competitiveness, saying, ‘We have some things in the pipeline that should put us back in the right direction.’
Despite the looming struggles, Alonso emphasizes the importance of perseverance, underlining the need to accumulate points and remain positive through these challenging times. As the F1 season continues, the spotlight remains on whether Alonso and Aston Martin can rally against the mounting competition.
The 2024 F1 season has tested Fernando Alonso’s resilience as Aston Martin faces mounting challenges and rising competition from former allies, Alpine. While the road ahead seems fraught with hurdles, Alonso’s experience and determination remain key as he navigates this tumultuous phase.
