Fernando Alonso back in the points: Aston Martin breathes easier after better-than-expected Qatar weekend. Fernando Alonso regains confidence and points in Qatar.

F1 | Fernando Alonso back on track: Qatar weekend exceeds expectations

Fernando Alonso found rhythm and points in Qatar just when it seemed impossible, bringing a boost to Aston Martin and keeping the Constructors’ Championship fight alive. After a difficult weekend in Las Vegas, the two-time world champion had drastically lowered expectations ahead of Qatar. But Lusail delivered far more than expected: two seventh-place finishes, one in the Sprint and one in Sunday’s race, marking his first return to the top 10 since the United States Grand Prix.

A weekend better than expected

On the eve of the weekend, Fernando Alonso had been clear: there was no basis for expecting a consistent fight at the front of the field. Yet the track proved him wrong. After the checkered flag, the Spaniard acknowledged the achievement, explaining that the result exceeded all expectations: “Two points yesterday and six today surpass our expectations for this weekend. Tonight we didn’t have the pace to fight at the front. We had a bit of luck with the DRS train and the difficulty of overtaking here. The points are a welcome boost in the Constructors’ Championship battle as we approach Abu Dhabi.” – the former Ferrari and McLaren driver pointed out at the end of the race which was held at the 5.4-kilometre Lusail International Circuit, located just outside the city of Lusail, north of Doha.

It was a solid race, executed intelligently, in which Fernando Alonso also admitted he had been fortunate to avoid a spin that on another circuit would likely have left him in the gravel.

The eight points collected in Qatar allow Aston Martin to consolidate seventh place in the Constructors’ standings, drawing closer to the Racing Bulls, now only 12 points away.

For Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin, the final race of the year will be crucial to secure their championship position and assess how much of the Qatar performance can be repeated. The feeling, however, is that things are moving in the right direction — perhaps even more than the team itself expected.