2025 Aston Martin | Aramco F1 Team

[diffuser]

1 and a half tenth would got us into Q3.... F1TV said that ALO tried to anticipate the wind by taking a little more corner, but the car did not respond to that. That the car he has, can't do more than try desperate moves to try to find more lap time. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes we pay a high price.

For notice, same at F1TV said Piastri did the same and lost a bit the rear-end. Luckily, he managed adjusted it.

Alonso made mistake again,he missed the gears by +1 so he had to --- back.

He does that some times to reduce wheel spin or be able to use a different tork settings. I wouldn't consider that a mistake, more like a choice. He was having to use the right toggle to resolve a tort snap in the first sector. Maybe this was another approach ?

[Waz]

Alonso anticipation of the wind vs the 2 or 3 younger drivers who were all caught out should really tell you that he is still a quality driver and if I needed someone for a WDC fight that isn't named Max, I would pick Alonso.

[TyreSlip]

1 and a half tenth would got us into Q3.... F1TV said that ALO tried to anticipate the wind by taking a little more corner, but the car did not respond to that. That the car he has, can't do more than try desperate moves to try to find more lap time. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes we pay a high price.

For notice, same at F1TV said Piastri did the same and lost a bit the rear-end. Luckily, he managed adjusted it.

Alonso made mistake again,he missed the gears by +1 so he had to --- back.

He does that some times to reduce wheel spin or be able to use a different tork settings. I wouldn't consider that a mistake, more like a choice. He was having to use the right toggle to resolve a tort snap in the first sector. Maybe this was another approach ?

Agreed. It's getting so annoying having to read any driving tactic as "Alonso making a mistake" with this car because people are borderline obsessed with his age.

[Farnborough]

FA has always been good to watch in "forcing" a chassis to do something it often doesn't really want to co-operate in.

Thats not missing, just something to drive that can talk the talk and ultimately display his undoubted skill. 2023 showed that in abundance, this team still searching for that quality in technical performance for him.

[Kamel]

Alonso announced a better pace in Japan, but was it, I don't think so.
Rain settings for tomorrow?

[zoroastar]

That's not going to happen

yeah, even if alonso didnt have a contract for next year, why tf would max go to aston martin for 26, when he could either go to merc or wait until 27 after there is a better idea where he can fight for a championship with any team on the grid? if alonso went and told max "hey im probably not going to feel like racing in 2026" max may would look at the seat, but max isnt going to come in and have them end alonsos career so he can jump into a car that may end up like redbull in 2014. a good chassis and an engine that couldnt compete. this speculation that max would even do that is just dumb. if max goes to AM its gonna be 27 or later.

True but I don't think Max will go to Aston in 2027 because it all depends on how good Aston will be next year. If they are fighting for wins Alonso will stay if not Max will not choose a team that is not fighting for wins. Mercedes is most probably his next team if he ends up leaving Red Bull

yeah picking the correct team after he leaves redbull is crucial for max. especially if its true that he doesnt want to race in f1 forever. one wrong move and he could be regretting his choice for 2-3 years without any more championships. i have no doubt that aston are going to get there eventually with newey there and honda, but if merc truely are the engine manufacturers with the lead into 26 it may not be right away.

[zoroastar]

I just want Alonso to get a good car again so he can win some races at the very least. Anyway heard an update is coming for Bahrain

thats what was posted a few pages back that seemed legit. i havent heard anything else besides that though.

Hard to see the team bringing a significant new package at Bahrain. The team is focused on carrying out a major package of improvements to be incorporated in Europe. As it is closer to factory.

Pedro de la Rosa said Aston Martin does not expect to bring major improvements for the next races, at least for the Italian GP, which will be held on May 18th in Imola.

So I think Bahrain rumours could be specific for the circuit. We will see.

its crazy how close the field is right now in quali. updates could rearrange the order significantly. lets hope that their new toys at the factory starts to pay off when they bring them this year.

[Fluido]

Do you think drivers for 2026 will be ok(I think Alonso is too old to deliver top performance)? Did Newey demanded only one top driver for 2026?

They may end up in a situation where they have a fast car but they can't prove it, you can see how RB looks slow with slow drivers.

[Farnborough]

Is this thread forever going to be stuck in "is Alonso to old" and "when are they going to sign Max" loop ?

A groundhog day, circling ad infinitum, de ja vu, all over again

Please make it stop, there's a season to be raced. All with the people in their own seats too

[Big Gun]

Do you think drivers for 2026 will be ok(I think Alonso is too old to deliver top performance)? Did Newey demanded only one top driver for 2026?

They may end up in a situation where they have a fast car but they can't prove it, you can see how RB looks slow with slow drivers.

Dude, apart from Max, I'd back Alonso to beat anyone over a season, his car is crap now, imagine him in the mclaren now.
I used to dislike Alonso, but have to respect what a freak he is.

[PinkFloydPulse]

Is this thread forever going to be stuck in "is Alonso to old" and "when are they going to sign Max" loop ?

A groundhog day, circling ad infinitum, de ja vu, all over again

Please make it stop, there's a season to be raced. All with the people in their own seats too

This thread has become full on cancer sadly… Hope they turn things around this year in some way, for team morale, if nothin else. If 2026 is to be a flop, my god…

[Fluido]

Do you think drivers for 2026 will be ok(I think Alonso is too old to deliver top performance)? Did Newey demanded only one top driver for 2026?

They may end up in a situation where they have a fast car but they can't prove it, you can see how RB looks slow with slow drivers.

Dude, apart from Max, I'd back Alonso to beat anyone over a season, his car is crap now, imagine him in the mclaren now.
I used to dislike Alonso, but have to respect what a freak he is.

Of course Alonso was one of best drivers from 1994 to now, but can he still perform on that level is question.
Also you forgot that Lewis in first year in F1 beat Alonso.

[RedNEO]

I just want Alonso to get a good car again so he can win some races at the very least. Anyway heard an update is coming for Bahrain

thats what was posted a few pages back that seemed legit. i havent heard anything else besides that though.

I was referring to your post as well thats what im hoping for. I think Alonso hasn’t lost anything hes just trying harder to show some Alonso magic but these ground effect cars are too sensitive. Once we see some Newey inspired upgrades to settle the car Alonso will be on song!

[Seanspeed]

Maybe it is presbyopia?

That's incredibly speculative...

Presbyopia is unfortunately an unavoidable part of aging. It affects performance athletes just like any normal person and Alonso is at the age of onset (early 40s). Maybe he is having trouble gauging the limit of the track in certain light conditions and doesn't realize that he is over the limit. He didn't sound like he realized that he went into the patch of grass that induced his off. The same could be said of his Australia crash during the race. I wouldn't call it a rookie mistake, and maybe he could get his eyes checked if he hasn't already. He can get contacts, drops or even surgery to help correct it if it's the case.

All fair points. I even posted a video specifically to support the idea that eyesight is super important for top level competitors in sports.

It's still incredibly speculative, though...

And no, there's no chance Alonso wont have had his eyes checked. lol Come on now. You dont understand how absolutely pampered these elite level sports guys are from a physical standpoint. Alonso especially has always been huge on having great trainers and whatnot. His eyesight wont have been completely forgotten in all this.

[HardikS]

Do you think drivers for 2026 will be ok(I think Alonso is too old to deliver top performance)? Did Newey demanded only one top driver for 2026?

They may end up in a situation where they have a fast car but they can't prove it, you can see how RB looks slow with slow drivers.

Dude, apart from Max, I'd back Alonso to beat anyone over a season, his car is crap now, imagine him in the mclaren now.
I used to dislike Alonso, but have to respect what a freak he is.

Of course Alonso was one of best drivers from 1994 to now, but can he still perform on that level is question.
Also you forgot that Lewis in first year in F1 beat Alonso.

If you are really following Alonso from his return, then you should not ask the "perform on that level" question. I will give you his Aston stint performance report from the last 2 years. In 2023 he performed at his very best despite Aston downgrades in the second half of the season. He got 4th in the standings with an average of the 3rd or 4th best car over the whole season. In 2024, Aston's car was not at the level of 2023 because competitors improved while Aston regressed performance wise; even their single upgrades are not working after a long time.

In 2024 Aston was fifth fastest only in the first half; in the second half they were probably 7th or 8th fastest, and now in 2025 they are the same as in 2024. Sadly, Williams, Haas, and RB improved. So obviously there is frustration creeping in now due to lack of car performance, and to cover that, Alonso is driving very aggressively or pushing too much to gain time. This is the main reason for his frequent mistakes after last year's Imola upgrade package. If Alonso is performing very badly as you are questioning, then how is his pace still fast? Also, check his race start reaction time; it's very good.

Of course, I am not saying he is performing at a very top level considering all there are genuine reasons citing his age and body recovering from injury problems. But I can assure you, just give him some positive car performance upgrade packages, and then he will get back his motivation, and he will be back to his usual consistent top level like in the 1st half of 2023.

Lewis and Alonso both are greats of sport. If you are judging Alonso based on the 2007 season, then you're only downplaying Lewis's achievements. Alonso was not at his best in 2007, and also Lewis was fearless in his rookie season. Both tied at the same points despite one of the weakest Alonso season performances, so the word "BEAT" is totally disrespectful. Lewis himself under performed in many seasons, but that doesn't diminish his skills, achievements, and legacy. Try to respect rivals. Gone are those days when two number 1 champion-level drivers competed against each other for the title in the same season, like Prost-Senna or Hamilton-Alonso. Even current McLaren drivers are struggling despite their top car for the last 12 months, which has consistently performed at a great level. On the current grid, only Verstappen proved his champion caliber, while others are still improving or waiting for opportunities like getting a title-contending car. Also, Verstappen has yet to face a competitive teammate in the same team, while at least Leclerc and Russell faced Lewis as a teammate.

Every time Alonso performs badly, always his age or retirement questions are asked more and more, but those questioners forgot his 2023-24 performances. I think questions should be asked of the Aston Martin Aero Department team for lackluster car performance from the last 18 months. This year it will be make or break for Aston to prove that they can improve through in-season development rather than going backwards and looking clueless about what to do with the car. Now wind tunnel, correlation, and simulator excuses will not count as legit reasons for not performing because they have all the tools available now. So currently I am more worried about their car performance rather than drivers. Even Max complained and was frustrated a lot about the car's performance in the last year's second half, but the difference is Red Bull is at least at worst contending for top 5 positions, while Aston is fighting for getting in Q1.

I am eagerly waiting for the 2025 season's 1st major car upgrade, which may come at the Imola GP, so let's see what happens next. Please don't mention that we have to fully focus on 2026. Even in 2026, if you can get a good car from race 1, you still have to improve till the last race of the season.