Aston Martin updates catapult Fernando Alonso to P5

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Has Aston Martin’s new upgrade paid off? After Fernando Alonso was still using the old package in yesterday’s comparison test, the team also immediately fitted his car with the upgraded equipment – and it was immediately successful.

Alonso secured a good fifth place on the grid in qualifying for Suzuka (Formula 1 2024 lives on the tick) and was very satisfied with that: “Fifth place is the highest today,” he says. The sky. “I don’t think there was anything more in the car. I’m happy for the team.”

He himself admits that the results were unexpected for him. “We are only a few hundredths short of Ferrari, and Leclerc is behind us, like Piastri and Mercedes,” praises the two-time world champion and sees a trend to climb higher.

Because: last September, Alonso only started the race from tenth place. “We were here six months ago. Before we were 1.5 seconds short of pole position, and now it’s only a tenth. So we’re definitely going in the right direction,” he praises.

However, it is difficult for him to say how much of this is due to the new upgrade, which includes, among other things, a new underbody, a beam wing, a diffuser and a new hood. “We still have to wait for the data. But if you drive two different cars for two days, that’s the best comparison.”

“I haven’t spoken to the team yet, but looking at the results, it’s a good step forward,” said the Spaniard. “However, it is very difficult here. One or two tenths can change the whole starting position. But we always want more. Although we have improved the car now, we are already looking forward to further improvements.”

Walk through the puzzles after leaving Q1

His teammate Lance Stroll also got a new version of the team on Friday, but for the Canadian it ended surprisingly after Q1: he only finished 16th.

“I didn’t have the speed I needed to qualify today and we still don’t understand why,” he complains. “I think I pushed myself to what my car was capable of, but I missed the pace to get through Q1.”

“The update package seems to be working on Fernando’s AMR24, so we’ll check tonight to see if there’s anything else that could have affected my car,” Stroll said. “We still have a lot of work to do before the Grand Prix. We have to make the most of every opportunity that comes tomorrow.”

Alonso: Is the race going backwards?

Alonso has the best chance of getting a good result on Sunday, but doubts whether he can maintain his position in the race: “I am careful in my predictions, and when I look at the first three races, we were always. Saturday is very strong, but not so much on Sunday, ” he says.

“So we are not in the top five, and if I am overtaken by Oscar (Piastri) with two Mercedes or something, then that is normal, I think, and we fall into our normal position,” said the Spaniard believes. that on Sunday it will be less the tires that make the difference, but rather the pure speed of the cars.

“But let’s see what we can do. I’m open to what the race will bring. I’m very proud and happy with today’s performance, but tomorrow is a new day.”