F1 | Alonso criticises Aston Martin in the Netherlands: “This should not happen in Formula 1”
During the media day at the Dutch Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso spoke openly about the future of Aston Martin with Adrian Newey and did not hold back his criticism of the team’s recent upgrades.
The Spanish driver arrives at Zandvoort after using the summer break mainly to focus on his physical recovery. In the previous race in Hungary, Alonso was forced to miss the first free practice session due to a back problem. Now, in the Netherlands, the entire Aston Martin team must push to the maximum, as Alonso currently sits in eleventh place in the drivers’ championship, just one point away from the top ten. The two-time world champion explained:
“My holidays were not particularly exciting. In the first part, I focused on recovering from the back injury I suffered in Spa and Budapest, then I dedicated some time to training and relaxation.”
A season that will depend on the circuits
Looking ahead to the second half of the Formula 1 season, Fernando Alonso underlined that Aston Martin’s level of competitiveness will largely depend on the characteristics of each circuit:
“In Hungary we were a tenth and a half away from pole position and finished fifth in the race, but I think that was due to the track layout. At Spa we were very slow. From now on, everything will depend on the circuits.”
Alonso tough on his team: “This is not an academy”
Speaking to journalists, including GP-News.net, Alonso openly admitted that Aston Martin’s recent development updates have not delivered the expected results. The Spaniard made his criticism clear:
“You learn from mistakes, but they should not happen. This is not an academy. Here in Formula 1, you need to bring only things that make the car faster.”
As for the team’s seasonal targets, Alonso confirmed that Aston Martin is aiming for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a result they also achieved in the past two years:
“At the beginning of the year it seemed impossible, but now we can try again. That said, in Formula 1 only victories count: being third, fifth, or sixth doesn’t change much. This year we will not win the championship, so we just have to maximise every opportunity.”
Aston Martin betting everything on Adrian Newey
One of the hottest topics in Zandvoort was the collaboration with Adrian Newey, who has recently joined Aston Martin. Alonso highlighted how valuable his presence is, with daily exchanges of ideas:
“Every conversation with him, every idea, we listen to carefully. He is a special person and he is helping us grow as a team.”
Alex Palou and the new faces in Formula 1
The interview also touched on the name of Alex Palou, currently racing in IndyCar and increasingly linked with a future in Formula 1. Alonso reaffirmed his trust in his fellow Spaniard:
“He has the talent and the level to adapt quickly, but everything will depend on the car he will drive. If he wants advice, my email is always open.”
Alonso also welcomed the return of Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas to the Formula 1 grid, stressing how important their presence is for the sport:
“I am happy for them. In Formula 1 there are only 22 seats and unfortunately someone is always left out, but having Checo and Valtteri on the grid is good news for our sport.”
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