Fernando Alonso wants to believe in a turning point after Suzuka. For the first time this season, Aston Martin completed a full race, an encouraging signal.
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The Japanese weekend was not flamboyant for Fernando Alonso, but it marks an important milestone. At the Suzuka circuit, the Spaniard saw the checkered flag for the first time this season.
A detail that may seem trivial, but is not for Aston Martin F1. Until now, the British team had never managed to complete a full race distance, whether in winter testing or during the first two rounds.
Alonso emphasizes the importance of this milestone: “We had several boxes to check, and finishing a race was one of them,” he explains, highlighting essential progress in understanding the car.
A finally solid working base
Beyond the raw result, it is above all the amount of data collected that gives the team hope. Being able to analyze a full stint finally allows for the precise identification of the car’s weaknesses.
“We hadn’t succeeded in Australia, China, or even during testing, so this is the first time,” Alonso recalls, emphasizing the delay accumulated until then.
“I hope the team now has enough information to better understand the car and improve for the next race,” he adds.
However, not everything is settled yet. One of the main problems encountered by Alonso in recent weeks remains relevant: vibrations in the car.
Already forced to retire in China because of this phenomenon, the double world champion felt these inconveniences again at Suzuka.
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“There were still vibrations,” he admits, before qualifying: “They aren’t going to disappear like magic, but they were more manageable.”
A notable improvement, which allowed him to finish the race, but which shows that the work ahead remains significant.
A glimmer of hope for the future
In a complicated start to the season, the simple fact of seeing the finish line represents a small success for Aston Martin. Alonso therefore prefers to adopt a pragmatic vision: progressing step by step rather than immediately aiming for ambitious results.
Despite a performance still far from the leaders, this full race could serve as a catalyst. It offers the team a better understanding of its car and a clearer direction for future developments.
With this new data in hand, Aston Martin now hopes to correct its weaknesses and gradually regain competitiveness.
For Fernando Alonso, the essential point is there: “It’s a first step” towards better days.
In a season that is still long, this type of progression can make all the difference. And even if the path remains full of pitfalls, Suzuka could well mark the beginning of a renewal for the British team.
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