After a busy qualifying session at the F1 Spanish GP, Aston Martin managed to put one car in the top ten as Fernando Alonso did a fine job.
The start of qualifying looked decent for Aston Martin, as both cars made it out of Q1. With Alonso in P14, and Stroll making it up to P7 at the very end, it looked to be a good start for the team. Q2 did not go as smoothly, with Stroll not making it out of Q2 and ending qualifying as P14. Luckily, Alonso was P8, therefore making it to the final part of qualifying, Q3.
The Spanish driver drove a great lap in Q3, momentarily putting him in P5. Alonso was immensely excited letting out a “Woo!” when he finished his lap. Unfortunately, the joy did not last long as the other drivers kept improving their time, ultimately putting Alonso back in P10. When asked if a higher position was possible, the home hero expressed that:
“There was not much more on it, but yeah, when you are into Q3 in a very short lap, you know within one tenth, you can be seventh or tenth, and unfortunately we are the far of that tenth.
“But yeah, happy, I think the whole weekend we’ve been in the top ten positions, you know, the practices, and now in qualifying as well.”
The truth will come out in Barcelona
The two-time World Champion continued on to explain that Barcelona will prove to be a real test for the team. Aston Martin has been experiencing difficulties this season. One race weekend they look decent, but then the next the pace seems to be gone. Alonso expressed that the team have been working hard on improving the car and they have made good progress.
“This was a real test for us because I think in Imola, we used the medium tires. In Monaco, it was such a special place, and the truth will come out in Barcelona. The truth is that we made the car better since Imola. We cannot forget where we come from. In Miami we were probably the tenth fastest team, you know, we finished twenty seconds behind Sauber in the race. So definitely some steps into the right direction,” he stated.
Chasing his first points of the season
As a result of a rough season for Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso has yet to score points. His teammate, Lance Stroll, has secured 14 points for the team so far.
Despite the lack of points, the Spanish driver appeared hopeful that the first points of his season could be reached on home ground. When asked about if points are achievable in tomorrow’s race, he stated:
“Let’s see, I think, you know we are just on the edge of the points and there are some fast cars behind, for sure. Albon P11, with an extra new set of tires just missed Q3, so there are a couple of you know, at least five or six cars in contention for the last two or three positions in the points. We are one of them. We need to make things perfect tomorrow if we want to score a point.”
It is clear that the motivation and desire for the first points of the season continues to live in the champion.
Positive for the remainder of the season
Fernando Alonso was later asked about his prior statements regarding “not being interested in minor positions and minor points”, and if today’s result still offered him some hope for the rest of the season.
“Yeah, definitely. I think it relieved a little bit, some pressure out of the shoulders. As I said, you know, the Imola package it was a step forward but we didn’t know how much and we were just, you know, coming to Barcelona to answer that question. And the answer is positive. The answer is that it’s a significant step forward and the car can be in the fight for Q3, at least on a normal racetrack.”
The two-time champion could perhaps be able to show the progress the team has made during the race tomorrow. As Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is home soil for the driver, there is no doubt that the crowd will be cheering him on. When asked about the fans’ support, Alonso was immensely grateful as he candidly stated that they show support, regardless of the results.
“When things are not great like this year, you know, even with zero points, I’m you know, frustrated for me, but also for them because I know how much it means for them, you know, to have a nice result. We are not giving them, you know, the result they are hoping, but they are still supporting and they are still coming.”
The crowd around the circuit has been full of support for Alonso, and they are undoubtably hoping that the pilot will achieve his first points of the season at his home race.
