Fernando Alonso: “No other F1 team is as ambitious as Aston Martin” – F1journaal.be

Earlier this week it was announced that Fernando Alonso has extended his contract with Aston Martin until the end of 2026. Alonso doesn’t have to look far for this. According to the two-time F1 champion, no other F1 team is as ambitious as Aston Martin.

Fernando Alonso surprised friend and foe in 2022 by announcing his departure from Alpine and a move to Aston Martin. At the start of the F1 season, Alonso perhaps surprised friends and foes alike even more when he achieved back-to-back podium finishes with Aston Martin.

As the season progressed, Aston Martin fell back a bit, but Alonso showed he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. It even caused speculation about his future because Alonso’s contract expired at the end of this year and Alonso was linked with a possible move to Mercedes or Red Bull.

Ultimately, Alonso decided to stay with Aston Martin and he had good reason for that.

“There is no other team in the field with the goals and plans for the future that Aston Martin has,” Alonso said. “But at the same time you have to achieve those goals, you have to achieve results.”

“This team was very new two years ago. The number of workers in the factory has almost doubled. They were in old Jordanian buildings, now they have a modern factory.

“Last year we had a very fast car and we had to learn a lot of lessons off the track about how to develop our car to match the level of the top teams. This year we are matching that progress. I think that is a good sign.”

“But at the end of the day you have to win the race, you have to win the championship, that’s a very difficult step to take.”

This season Aston Martin seems to be somewhat stagnant. There is no question of a strong start like last year, but that doesn’t stop the motivation and good feelings that Alonso has with Aston Martin.

“I am very happy. I was happy last year and I am still happy now. I feel good in the team. I would like to be in a better position.

“Last year we were fighting for big results at the beginning of the year and more or less we found ourselves in this position at the end of the year, the fifth fastest team.”

“This year it seems we have a car development map that is more and more aggressive in terms of what the top team is doing that wants to get big results, I’m glad to see that.”