In what has been a less than desirable start to Fernando Alonso’s season, the F1 Canadian GP has brought his second best Qualifying result this season. Qualifying P6, this was Alonso’s fourth Q3 appearance of 2025. As it currently stands, the Spaniard has had three DNF results across the eight completed races.
Aston Martin and Alonso’s pace and performance has ramped up in Canada, in what has been a largely positive weekend. He will start Sunday’s Grand Prix ahead of Norris and Leclerc, who he will be fighting to defend against. Alonso spoke to Sky Sports about his weekend so far.
Fernando Alonso reflects on strong Aston Martin form at the F1 Canadian GP
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is a circuit that has a record of being kind to the Aston Martin team, and is a track Alonso loves. In 2024, Alonso qualified in the exact position he did this year, sitting just two tenths off of pole position, down in P6.
The track conditions today made a tricky FP3 session for many drivers, with oversteer becoming an apparent issue. Ahead of Qualifying, Aston Martin made the decision to change their Qualifying set up, which proved beneficial.
“Yeah, I love this track for sure. It has been friendly to us, 2023, second, even last year we were sixth on the grid, two tenths from pole, so it seems that we always perform well in Canada and this year was no different, but it was not easy for sure.
“Today we found the track a little bit more tricky, more oversteering for everyone. We saw FP3, tricky for everyone, so yeah, we made some setup changes into qualifying and yeah, I think the starting position is good, but it’s going to be a long race.”
Continuing to understand the newest upgrades
While we have seen improvement in the Aston Martin since the commencement of the season, Alonso admits they are still learning the new upgrades and their potential. Improvement has been apparent to the team since Imola.
The F1 weekend in Canada makes it Alonso’s fourth consecutive Q3 appearance, making it clear the improvements are making a difference. Alonso acknowledges he also feels more comfortable and understands his Aston Martin machinery, and he is able to push it to go faster.
“Yeah, I think we’re still learning, but definitely it was a step forward that we’re still trying to understand because definitely the car transformed after Imola and this is the fourth consecutive Q3, we feel alive again. And yeah, it feels a good moment for me also.
“You know, I’ve been driving, it was a challenge I think at the beginning of the year to feel the car and to really understand what was needed and since Imola, it seems that I’m able to read the car and to go in the direction that the car needs to go faster and that was not the case at the beginning of the year, so I’m happy for that.”
Aiming to maintain or capitalise on P6
In Sunday’s Grand Prix, Alonso will be starting on the third row, with Norris and Leclerc on the fourth row. The Spaniard acknowledged that it will be tough with two of the current front runners behind him.
Despite the challenges that he anticipates he will be facing, his focus is on attempting to maintain his spot or gain positions. As long as he doesn’t move backwards, Alonso will be satisfied.
“Norris 7th, Leclerc 8th, it’s going to be a challenge, but we will try to go forward, not backwards.”
