Amidst challenges, Aston Martin finds a silver lining in a race devoid of points.
- Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll showcased impressive qualifying performances, but luck was not in favor.
- Team Principal Andy Cowell remains optimistic despite the Italian GP setback, focusing on improvements.
- Key race upgrades have enhanced the AMR25’s performance across various track types.
- The team tackles strategic pitfalls and timing challenges to pave the way for future success.
The recent race in Italy was a mixed bag for Aston Martin. Although Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll managed strong qualifying positions, their efforts did not translate into race points. Despite these setbacks, Team Principal Andy Cowell expressed optimism about the team’s progress, citing improvements in the car’s performance as a key takeaway.
This season started on a sour note for Aston Martin, prompting the team to roll out significant upgrades to their AMR25 as they entered the European races. These upgrades appear to have paid off, with both Alonso and Stroll making it to Q3, showcasing enhanced pace. However, unforeseen strategic missteps and poorly timed safety car interventions dashed their hopes of scoring in Italy.
Alonso was notably vocal over the radio, deeming himself “the unluckiest driver in the ****ing world” after the race. He later remarked, “In 100 scenarios of the race, 99 were okay for us to score strong points for the team today. One was not, and it did happen.” Despite missing out on points, Cowell found reasons to be encouraged. He emphasized that they had made strides in car updates that perform well across low, medium, and high-speed tracks, although he was tight-lipped about how much quicker the car is actually running.
Looking back, Cowell acknowledged that the track’s unique characteristics, combined with timing issues related to Virtual Safety Cars, were significant hurdles. Yet, he remains committed to refining every aspect of their race operation, from strategy to pit stops. This commitment to detail, Cowell believes, is crucial to future successes, stating that achieving excellence is about minimizing reliance on luck and maximizing the car’s and team’s potential.
The sentiment among the team was one of frustration, given that both vehicles had realistic chances of earning points. “It would have been wonderful to get a point today,” Cowell said, reflecting on the near-miss due to VSC timings. Despite the challenges, including tire strategy debates that raged even before the teams arrived in Italy, the overall improvement in car setup was apparent. Enhanced preparation involving refined wind tunnel data and driver simulator sessions contributed significantly to their qualifying performance.
Aston Martin remains focused on continuous improvement, determined to convert their progress into tangible results in future races.
