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Relive how Aston Martin began the season spectacularly earlier than barely tailing off because the 2023 Components One season progressed
Relive how Aston Martin began the season spectacularly earlier than barely tailing off because the 2023 Components One season progressed
Fernando Alonso says he doesn’t count on his efficiency to drop off any time quickly after finishing his “greatest season” in Components 1 on the age of 42.
In his first season with Aston Martin after becoming a member of from Alpine, Alonso completed fourth within the drivers’ standings to assert his highest end since 2013.
Aston Martin received off to an electrical begin with podium finishes in six out of the primary 10 races, unexpectedly competing with Ferrari and Mercedes, in addition to being Pink Bull’s closest rivals within the early phases of the season.
Whereas his contract with the staff presently solely has one season to run, Alonso seems assured of constant for a number of years but.
“I’ve stated many instances, even earlier than 2018, the day I cease racing will not be as a result of I really feel not motivated for driving or I really feel sluggish,” the two-time world champion stated on the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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Trip on board with Fernando Alonso as he takes on Sergio Perez in an epic battle to seal a podium place in Brazil
“If I really feel sluggish sooner or later, I feel will probably be noticeable and I cannot be pleased with my efficiency and I would be the first to boost my hand and say it is time.
“However I do not suppose that point will arrive actually by way of feeling sluggish, I’ve excessive self-confidence in my efficiency.”
Whereas falling wanting an elusive thirty third profession race win, Alonso clinched all eight of Aston Martin’s podium finishes, together with second-place finishes in Monaco, Canada and the Netherlands.
“I am pleased with the non-public efficiency, I feel along with 2012, it is the perfect season for me,” Alonso stated.
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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz sits down with Fernando Alonso to replicate on his profession, 20 years on from his first win in Hungary
“Personally, I fee the perfect season in my driving. I used to be pleased with all the things, I used to be motivated, I used to be match, I used to be performing as you stated in troublesome circumstances typically, Bahrain, Monaco, Canada, Monza and Brazil might be my prime 4/5 of the yr.
“I put Monza on objective as a result of it was a ninth place, it was not a podium, it was nothing that individuals will keep in mind. However most likely we had the slowest automotive in Monza or the second slowest and to be within the factors it was a kind of weekends all the things was superb.”
‘Demanding schedule’ might cease Alonso driving
Cancelled races this yr in China and Italy noticed F1’s document 24-race schedule diminished to 22, however with a full season set for 2024, Alonso feels the game’s calendar is the one factor that might put on him down.
“But it surely might be with the calendar and the demanding schedule and issues like this sooner or later, I’ll really feel it this time as a result of you recognize there are different issues in life,” Alonso stated.
“It has been a really demanding season solely with 22 races, with two cancellations. Subsequent yr with 24, the correct calendar, we should see the way it feels. Even Las Vegas, I noticed at this time it is a triple header, I do not know why, I believed Vegas was alone subsequent yr after which Qatar and Abu Dhabi collectively.
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Fernando Alonso simply pips Sergio Perez to a podium spot after an epic battle within the ultimate phases of the race
“I simply discovered now, like 10 minutes in the past, that it was three races collectively, these sorts of issues will drain my battery, not my driving.”
Whereas Aston Martin surpassed expectations at the beginning, they struggled within the center stage of the season, with extra disappointing performances within the British and Hungarian Grands Prix, however Alonso accepts the method is a part of a studying curve for the staff.
“I see solely positives as effectively; these struggles are a part of the job and a part of the journey of this staff,” he stated. “I feel we began actually robust with a automotive that was surprisingly aggressive even to us the step from final yr to this yr.
“Then we discovered ourselves perhaps able that we weren’t prepared for it, preventing with Mercedes, Ferrari, prime groups. They’re used to preventing on the degree.
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Fernando Alonso overtakes Lewis Hamilton to maneuver into third place on the restart of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
“I feel we have to discover some consistency, perhaps among the weak factors is the automotive has to function in a really slim window, it is the identical with everyone however it appears we’re struggling somewhat bit.
“It could be good if we will carry out all the time at a steady degree and subsequent yr see if we will enhance the straight line pace.
“I feel that was the [under] efficiency in numbers, our weak level all the time (was we have been) somewhat bit too sluggish on the straights and if we wish to be as quick because the others, we have to drop an excessive amount of the rear wing and we ended up sluggish on the corners as effectively, in order that was most likely the loop we couldn’t exit this season.”
‘Stroll dedication was a shock to me’
Alonso says the extent of dedication proven by his Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll, notably after a poor run of type for the Canadian, got here as a pleasing shock.
Stroll, who’s the son of staff proprietor Lawrence, raced within the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix simply 12 days after struggling fractures to his arms, wrists and foot in a biking accident.
Alonso was heard on staff radio all through the season making an attempt to help his team-mate in any manner attainable, and as soon as extra spoke of a powerful bond between the pair.
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Fernando Alonso reacts to Lance Stroll’s Alex Albon overtake
“We speak so much, we’re involved each week on the phone, within the manufacturing unit, in the races and we attempt to ensure we’re all in the identical route and we share many issues,” Alonso stated.
“He is been by way of some difficulties this yr; the automotive was simply altering its behaviour somewhat bit and he was simply struggling somewhat bit greater than me and now we repair just a few issues within the automotive and now he is again in prime type.
“It was spectacular to see his dedication, his motivation, within the highs and within the lows. In the beginning of the yr with the damaged hand, as I stated, halfway by way of the season with some difficulties. He was so decided to place issues again in place once more.
“Ultimately he did after I feel Mexico and the race in Brazil, the race in Vegas, this was the shock to me, the extent of dedication, the extent of motivation he has, that is solely excellent news and good issues for the staff.”
24 races in 2024! Watch each spherical of subsequent season reside on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29-March 2. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW