Aston Martin continues its progress: after the upgrades introduced in Hungary and then at Zandvoort, Fernando Alonso secured ninth place in the Dutch Grand Prix, bringing back 2 points.
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The Spaniard is satisfied with the progress of the AMR26, even though he still points out several weaknesses, notably on the Honda power unit side.
“It’s great to finish in the points here at Zandvoort,” he said happily. “I didn’t expect it, it’s all to the credit of the team for making the best of what we had. We still have some issues with the car’s behavior and the engine, but this weekend marks another positive step. “
Motivation intact
For Alonso, this performance mainly confirms the effectiveness of the development program launched by Aston Martin: “They brought a new package to Budapest, other new parts here at Zandvoort, and the results are there. Formula 1 is not a mysterious sport: you have to bring performance and outperform your rivals to score points, and that’s what we are doing. “
The two-time world champion now hopes that this momentum will allow the team to continue its rise: “Congratulations also to the whole team at the Silverstone factory. Let’s hope we can bring more, capitalize on this motivation and momentum for the next races, and continue to better understand this package. “
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While the AMR26 chassis now seems much more competitive, Alonso still identifies two important areas to improve: the drivability of the power unit and its power: “We are not yet where we want to be in terms of drivability. Downshifts and engine braking seem a bit random from one corner to another. These are therefore things we still need to fine-tune.”
Honda still needs to improve
The deficit on the straights is mainly a weakness now more visible as the chassis progresses: “We still lose a lot of ground on the straights. Now that we are more or less competitive in corners, we need to improve this point. “
However, Alonso refuses to put Honda under pressure and reminds that the development of this new partnership requires time: “We also have to give Honda time to identify the problem and find a solution. So I am calm and relaxed. I have confidence in Silverstone as well as in Sakura.”
At 45 years old, the Matador will be closely watched in the upcoming Grands Prix to see if he will extend his F1 career beyond this 2026 season, but if the overall evolution of his team is confirmed, why not?
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