Alonso: “The last two races will be a celebration because I will never drive this car again”
Fernando Alonso has no mercy for the AMR25, stating that he plans to celebrate its retirement at the end of the year. The remaining two races of the season will be treated as a celebration ahead of the short winter break.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was yet another forgettable outing for Aston Martin Racing in this closing phase of the season. Lance Stroll was literally hit at the start by Gabriel Bortoleto, while Fernando Alonso finished just outside the points, in 11th place.
In reality, the AMR25 never truly had a chance to fight for a Top 10 finish. While Alonso ended up 11th, just outside the points, he was 14.7 seconds behind Oliver Bearman, who finished tenth. It’s also worth noting that Alonso’s 11th place came after the double disqualification of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri due to excessive skid wear.
In short, it has been a slow decline and a dragging end to a difficult season, with hopes of a brighter start next year, when Fernando and Lance will finally get the first car designed under Adrian Newey’s expertise.
“We need to be realistic and recognize that it has been five or six races without scoring points. I think Singapore was the last time we earned points properly, so going to Qatar and expecting to be in the Top 6 or Top 7 is completely illogical,” Alonso said when asked about the next Grand Prix.
“We go to Qatar hoping to do our job well. We will never stop trying, but there are just two races left in a very challenging year, and we will try to do everything as best as possible. But logically, we are already thinking about 2026.”
Regarding 2026, it is clear that Aston Martin Racing’s focus is now on a season that must be a true springboard to the top of Formula 1. Alonso, in his own way, expressed his happiness about soon leaving the AMR25 behind.
“The next two races will be celebrations. Or at least, that’s how I will experience them. In Qatar, with the Sprint, we won’t have much time and we won’t be able to rest because we have only one free practice session before qualifying, and then Abu Dhabi, which is usually a farewell for everyone before the break. So I will treat these two events as celebration races, also because we will never race with this car again, so it has to be a reason to celebrate.” – the Spanish driver concluded at the end of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
For Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin fans alike, the countdown to the Adrian Newey era has officially begun – and the Spaniard can’t wait to park the AMR25 for good.
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