Eddie Jordan has noticed a psychological shift in Fernando Alonso since the 2024 F1 season began.
- Despite a stellar 2023, Alonso hasn’t reached a podium and seems off his previous pace this year.
- Comparisons are drawn between Alonso’s current performance and Sergio Perez’s challenging year.
- Alonso feels he’s as good as Lewis Hamilton, but the results haven’t aligned with that belief.
- There’s noticeable tension and pressure in the F1 world as drivers like Alonso reassess their standing.
Eddie Jordan, the former F1 team boss now known for his punditry, has shared his views on Fernando Alonso’s current performance. He believes Alonso has experienced a psychological dip since the start of the 2024 season, similar to what Sergio Perez is experiencing at Red Bull. Jordan suggests that both drivers are not living up to their potential and that this is reflected in Alonso’s results this year, which have yet to include a podium finish.
Alonso had a remarkable 2023 season, finding himself consistently near the front and claiming multiple podiums with Aston Martin. However, 2024 has been more subdued for the Spaniard, with his best achievement being fifth place at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The performance gap between Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll has narrowed significantly in the second quarter of the season, adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing narrative.
In a podcast discussion with fellow 90s F1 driver David Coulthard, concerns were raised about whether Sergio Perez might have reached the peak of his career. Coulthard challenged Jordan to name a driver whose performance continually improved over a long career, prompting Jordan to draw parallels to Alonso’s current situation. Jordan remarked, “You see that exactly with Alonso where, at the beginning of the year, he was awesome.”
Alonso himself opened up about his feelings post-race at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished ninth, leading the midfield but behind the top four teams. He expressed disappointment, noting, “We cannot hide the fact that we are fighting today with Williams, AlphaTauri, and Alpine while, last year, we were aiming for the top four teams.” The shift in competitive balance has clearly affected him, as he laments the need to defend rather than attack.
Alonso’s introspection continued as he recalled the early season performances in qualifying, where he consistently placed among the top five or six. “There’s definitely a lot of work to do for us during the summer break and the second part of the year,” he stated, indicating determination to regain his former competitiveness. Despite the setbacks, he remains committed to not giving up, acknowledging the extensive efforts required to turn things around.
The 2024 season has proven challenging for Alonso, mirroring the difficulties faced by Perez, highlighting the intense pressure and psychological battles within F1.
