Fernando Alonso warns Red Bull and Ferrari of a ‘very powerful weapon’ in Aston Martin’s arsenal.

Fernando Alonso believes one of the strengths of his Aston Martin AMR24 will serve him well during the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend. After finishing sixth in Japan, the two-time world champion believes the DRS power of his Aston Martin could be crucial at the long Shanghai international circuit.

F1 returns to Shanghai this weekend, five years after the last China Grand Prix as the last race to return to the pre-COVID-19 calendar.

The Shanghai circuit has one of the longest straights in Formula 1, at 1.2km long, meaning the cars can perform well at high speeds on the straights.

Alonso finished sixth last time out at Suzuka’s fast circuit and said that ‘very strong DRS’ could play a role at a weekend where other variables, such as bad weather and race pattern restoration, could all confound the order. . shake it

“It always gives us a little more space when you’re off the pace,” he said. “Mixed environments or race weekends, all these types of things always give you something extra. But it will be difficult. China, with these long corners, the front circuit – maybe like Australia – I expect Ferrari will be very fast. We have a Very powerful DRS and maybe that will help in the long run in China, so we’ll see.”