The 2-time world champion managed just 17th in the Friday shootout to find out the grid for the grand prix on Sunday, whereas team-mate Lance Stroll pipped solely Logan Sargeant for nineteenth place.
This adopted each of the newly upgraded AMR23s (revised flooring, engine cowl bodywork) having to curtail their operating in the course of the sole apply session as a result of front-left brake fires.
As such, Alonso was left to lament a “painful” day that Aston Martin wanted to ‘fully repeat’ and reckoned that the remainder of the Austin weekend needs to be used as a take a look at for 2024.
He mentioned: “We should always return and repeat the day fully ranging from the morning.
“We had that horrible session. Lance did not full any laps; I solely did six or seven high quality laps with the brand new package deal. Too many unknowns when it comes to learn how to function the package deal and the brand new automobile.
“So, I feel we went a bit blind into qualifying and clearly we see the outcomes, so nothing we are able to do now.
“We use this weekend as a take a look at for subsequent 12 months as nicely, even when they’re painful. So, let’s have a look at what we are able to study within the remaining periods.”
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Group, settles into his seat
Alonso missed Q2 by 0.055s however each he and Stroll reckoned the automobile had felt sound sufficient.
The Spaniard, who in-part blamed a congested observe for failing to progress, continued: “It was the utmost.
“The lap was not preferrred, the out-lap particularly, the visitors was very badly managed. I crossed the road inside one second of the restrict, so I began the lap too near the automobiles in entrance.
“So that did not assist however the lap felt OK. The tempo was possibly not adequate to be in Q2.
“Let’s examine tomorrow if we are able to make an excellent dash as a result of Sunday’s race is closely compromised now.”
Stroll reckoned he had acclimatised swiftly to the upgraded automobile regardless of his early FP1 exit.
He added: “I did not really feel prefer it was a foul session. I really felt like I used to be OK within the automobile.
“Even after no operating in FP1, I really feel like I’ve bought to grips with the automobile fairly shortly. However we simply weren’t fast sufficient. I hoped for extra.”