As Formula 1 returns to the Imola GP, eyes are on Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin and their much-anticipated F1 upgrade package for the AMR25. The team has endured a difficult start to the 2025 season, with Fernando Alonso yet to score a point after six rounds. Despite the challenges, the Spaniard remains focused on his role within the team and is approaching the weekend with a realistic mindset.
Upgrades for Aston Martin in Imola
Asked whether this weekend’s updates could finally provide a tangible improvement, Alonso remained measured in his response.
“Let’s see. I think every time you bring an upgrade to the car, there is always optimism in the team. But at the same time, we have enough lessons learned already of upgrades in the past two years that maybe they didn’t deliver what exactly they were supposed to,” Alonso said in his print media session.
“And now we go into tomorrow’s practice with a very open-minded approach. I think two cars will have different packages. And Friday night we will sit together and review all the data and decide for Saturday. But I don’t think there is a stress to really look at the new package and it has to deliver, yes or yes. And we have to fit it in the car, yes or yes.
“We are very calm about it. And we will give the time necessary to the package before introducing it to a race and making 100% sure that it’s a faster car than what we have.“
When asked who of the two Aston Martin drivers will get the upgrades, Alonso replied: “I read coming to the circuit that Lance [Stroll] will do it.”
The cautious strategy of trialling different packages across both cars reflects the team’s recent shift in philosophy. After struggling with development correlation and inconsistencies between simulation tools and on-track data, Aston Martin and Alonso have spent much of this season using race weekends for evaluation and data collection, with the hope that the upgrades being introduced at Imola will offer a clear step forward.
Mental challenges for Alonso
However, for Alonso, the mental challenge of the season has perhaps been even greater than the technical hurdles. Despite showing speed and consistency behind the wheel, results have been hard to come by. When asked about how he’s coping mentally with the current campaign, Alonso offered a candid reflection on his mindset.
“It’s tough to do the interviews and to do the media every day. I respect that. I will do exactly the same questions. I think it’s news that I have zero points and probably I will finish with zero points.”
Alonso added: “I understand that. I come here and I know what we have.
“My job here is to help the team. It’s to understand the two packages tomorrow and Friday. I have to be consistent, repeat the laps, repeat my driving style. Then when I arrive to Quali, we put the best car and the fastest car possible. Do my best lap on Saturday and do my 60 laps on Sunday as a qualifying lap. I try to help the team and motivate everyone.
“That’s my job. When I’m doing that, I’m doing that like a robot. I try to be precise and have high discipline. But sometimes I wake up again when I have to face the questions that they are very fair and they are right.“
Translating the progress on track
Alonso continued to explain he understands the issue of having zero points to his tally so far.
“I don’t know how to elaborate the answer because even if I feel optimistic and positive about everything, it’s difficult to translate that into words when you are out of the points or when you are out of Q1. I will try to do my best. Eighteen races to go.”
Alonso’s words reflect not only the reality of a difficult campaign, but also his determination to lead the team forward. With 18 races remaining, the Spaniard remains hopeful that the hard work behind the scenes, bolstered by the move into a new wind tunnel facility and a revised development path, will eventually yield results.
For now, all focus is on gathering the right data at Imola. Aston Martin then have to carefully evaluate the latest upgrades and take a step closer to turning potential into performance. Will Alonso finally take his first points of the season?
