Ahead of the Miami GP, Fernando Alonso admitted that Aston Martin has performed below expectations this season.
Alonso currently sits in 17th position in the Driver’s Championship as the Aston Martin Driver remains pointless after the opening rounds.
His Aston Martin team is currently seventh in the constructors’ championship, with Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll the only points scorer for the team.
Aston Martin’s struggles
Alonso admitted in his Thursday print media session that other midfield teams have raised the bar and are now much closer to the frontrunner.
On the other hand, Aston Martin has failed to make the same step and is currently trailing behind.
However, the Spaniard has not given up, hoping that Aston Martin will be able to step up in the upcoming rounds.
“Yeah, I mean, we are not as competitive as we want to be, we thought to be, but yeah.
“I think there is not only one thing, there are a couple of factors that made the car a little bit difficult at the moment, in terms of pace, and maybe not as fast as some of the midfields.
“They raised the level, and they are closer to the top four, and we didn’t make that step.
“Still a long championship, so we need to react, we need to do things better, and hopefully in the next few races we have a step forward.
“But yeah, it has been more difficult than expected.”
Expectations for the Miami GP
Asked whether this weekend’s sprint format could provide an opportunity for Alonso and Aston Martin, the Spaniard responds:
“It could be.”
However, Alonso also points out that the Miami GP has been a difficult race weekend for Aston Martin in the past.
Nevertheless, the 2-time world Champion concedes that Aston Martin might be able to score points in the Sprint under the right circumstances.
“Some of the sprint weekends gave us these opportunities in the past.
“I think the closest example is China, where we qualified a little bit better than expected on Friday, and we went back to our normal position by Saturday.
“And on the sprint weekend, I think if we had maybe chosen another strategy, or whatever, we could maybe score some points, which I think on Sundays is even more difficult, so it could happen.
“But, saying that, I think Miami has not been really a good track for us.
“Even on 23, with a podium here, we only came alive in quali.
“All the free practices we were a little bit uncompetitive for our standards in 23 at the beginning of the year.
“And last year also, even if we started the season strong, especially in Qualy, Miami was difficult.
“So, let’s see if we change things this year, but it could be a tough weekend for sure.”
