Fernando Alonso admits Aston Martin is only ninth fastest: “We’re ahead of Alpine, but not much else”. Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin is struggling at the back of the grid.

Alonso’s harsh assessment of Aston Martin’s decline

Fernando Alonso has once again shown his trademark honesty when analyzing the current performance of Aston Martin in Formula 1. The two-time world champion, known for his direct and often brutally realistic evaluations, has made it clear that the team’s competitiveness has fallen sharply compared to its early 2023 form, when it regularly challenged for podium finishes. Now, as the 2025 season progresses, Alonso believes the AMR25 lacks the pace needed even to consistently fight for points.

The Spanish driver, who has spent more than two decades at the top of motorsport, has never hesitated to express critical views about his teams when performance drops below expectations. Following the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Alonso reflected on what he described as one of Aston Martin’s most difficult weekends of the year. Despite managing to secure a single point by finishing tenth, the Spaniard considered the race another reminder of how far the team has fallen down the pecking order.

Aston Martin struggling near the back

After defending his position from Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson throughout the closing stages of the race, Alonso observed that the New Zealander had remained within DRS range for nearly the entire Grand Prix — a clear indication that the RB car possessed stronger pace overall. The Spaniard reportedly described Aston Martin as the ninth-fastest team on the grid, with only Alpine showing weaker form at this stage of the season.

Alonso also pointed out that Haas and Kick Sauber have clearly made progress, placing them ahead of Aston Martin in terms of race performance. Meanwhile, Williams has continued to show solid pace, competing in what he described as a different championship altogether. With such limited opportunities to score, the Spaniard considered his single point a respectable result under the circumstances — but acknowledged that the team urgently needs to improve heading into the Mexican Grand Prix.

Looking ahead to the Newey era

Within the team, there is growing anticipation for the future arrival of legendary designer Adrian Newey, whose influence is expected to reshape Aston Martin’s technical direction. While Fernando Alonso’s frustration is understandable, his comments also underline the hope that 2026 — when Newey is expected to take full control of car development — could mark a turning point in the team’s fortunes.

Until then, the AMR25 continues to struggle with balance and race pace, especially on circuits that require aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip. Alonso’s analysis suggests that the car still lacks the stability and traction needed to challenge in the midfield battle. Despite his critical tone, the Spaniard remains determined to keep pushing the limits, emphasizing that every single point counts in the constructors’ championship.

As the season heads into its final stretch, Aston Martin faces the difficult task of salvaging results while preparing for a major rebuild. Fernando Alonso’s remarks serve as a reminder that experience and consistency can only go so far without the machinery to match — and that for Aston Martin, the true test will begin once the Newey-led project finally hits the track.