Fernando Alonso predicts ‘very fast Mercedes’ as Aston Martin aim to confirm pace : PlanetF1

Fernando Alonso has forecasted a “very swift” Mercedes team in Formula 1 as Aston Martin hopes to verify its competitive swiftness.

The Spaniard, who will be making his return to the sport after two years out this season at Alpine, has highlighted the difficulty of the challenge facing the Silverstone-based outfit as they attempt to break into the top tier of teams.

The 36-year-old stated: “Mercedes will be very fast, I think. This is the most difficult thing in Formula 1, to be at the top, because of the level of competition there is now.

“Aston Martin is taking a risk, but it is a risk worth taking. It will be a great challenge for them to show how competitive they can be, and that is something I am looking forward to.”

Aston Martin has been making strides in recent weeks, with the team’s first challenger, the AMR21, already taking part in pre-season testing.

The car has been well-received so far, with drivers Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel both having positive feedback on the car’s performance.

It is expected that the team will be able to match the performance of the midfield teams in 2021, with a top six finish in the constructors’ championship a realistic target.

Alonso, however, believes that it will take more than just a competitive car to reach the top of the sport.

“They have a competitive car, but they will need more than that,” he said.

“They need to have the right people, the right strategy, the right drivers, and they need to be very consistent. It is a great challenge for them, and I hope they can do it.”

Fernando Alonso has foretold a “very expeditious” Mercedes crew in Formula 1 as Aston Martin attempts to affirm its competitive fleetness. The two-time F1 World Champion, who is set to rejoin the sport this season with Alpine, has highlighted the complexity of the task ahead for the Silverstone-based outfit as they endeavor to infiltrate the upper echelon of teams.

The 36-year-old expressed: “Mercedes will be very speedy, I think. This is the most arduous part of Formula 1, to be at the summit, due to the degree of rivalry that exists at present. Aston Martin is taking a gamble, but it is an opportunity worth taking. It will be a remarkable trial for them to demonstrate how competitive they can be, and that is something I am eagerly anticipating.”

In the past few weeks, Aston Martin has been making notable progress. The team’s first vehicle, the AMR21, has already taken part in pre-season testing and has been approved positively by drivers Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel. It is predicted that the team will be able to correspond the performance of the midfield teams in 2021, with a top six finish in the constructors’ championship a feasible objective.

Nevertheless, Alonso considers that it will take more than just a competitive motorcar to reach the uppermost level of the sport. He commented: “They have a formidable car, but they will need more than that. They need to have the correct personnel, the correct tactics, the correct drivers, and they need to be very consistent. It is a remarkable trial for them, and I wish them success.”