Speaking after Sunday’s F1 Monaco GP, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was in high spirits despite a disappointing mid-race retirement.
Following an impressive Qualifying performance on Saturday for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso lined up on Sunday in P6. A strong opening two stints saw the Spaniard hold his position as he aimed for his first points finish of the 2025 season, although P8 was looking like the final result.
Despite his performance, a mechanical failure saw Alonso park his AMR25 at La Rascasse on Lap 37. Following his unfortunate early exit from the Monaco Grand Prix however, Alonso remained in high spirits. When asked about his mechanical issues, he explained that he was happy with his pace despite a significant power deficit.
“I had a problem with the engine since lap 15,” Alonso explained in the print media pen following the Monaco GP. “I didn’t have the air system, the electrical power, so I think I was like a Daniel Ricciardo in 2018 with no electrical power.
“So I had 160 horsepower less, but here in Monaco power was not crucial, so I kept the time lap reasonable and I think I was dreaming to keep the P6 at the end, maybe it was not possible. But yeah, the race was good, in my case qualifying was very good yesterday, so we lost an opportunity today.”
Alonso was then quizzed on his takeaways from the Monaco GP. The Spaniard was in high spirits following his strong qualifying on Saturday and impressive race pace throughout. Reflecting on the race he explained he leaves with no frustration as his DNF was out of his control.
“Now that I’m performing at a very high level,” he began. “Obviously you never have self-doubt when you are a Formula 1 driver, but it’s true that from time to time to have a nice result is always welcome and it puts you a smile and you go tomorrow to the gym and you are a little bit more motivated and you have some good news.
“In my case, there are no good news, so I need to keep going tomorrow morning to the gym and I need to keep performing well and that’s what I take.
“Monaco, very special, very specific place, mega laps in qualifying, good laps now in the race, even without the KERS system. If I had no points because of the slow pace or contacts with other cars or touching the wall or whatever, because of my mistakes, I would be very frustrated, but I feel the opposite, I feel performing at a very high level, so I feel relaxed and waiting for an opportunity.”
Continuing his positive outlook, Alonso looked to the remainder of the 2025 season, and next season’s rules shakeup. He explained he is happy to continue his difficult 2025 season in the hopes of competing next season.
In the midst of his worst season start since 2001, having failed to score in the opening 9 Grands Prix, Alonso demonstrated his willpower as he looked to the future.
“To be honest, I will be happy if everything goes like this the whole season and I win in Australia next year,” he said. “For me it doesn’t change to finish P8 in Barcelona or Canada to score 8 points this year or 22, it doesn’t change much. Next year with the change of regulation we really hope to be a contender for the championship, so I’m happy to accumulate all the DNFs this year.”
On the other side of the Aston Martin garage, teammate Lance Stroll was much more downbeat following a difficult weekend. Stroll suffered a difficult start to the weekend, earning a penalty on Friday having collided with Charles Leclerc in FP2. Having struggled on Saturday, only managing P19 in qualifying, Stroll struggled to make progress in the Monaco GP, eventually crossing the line P15, 2 laps behind the leaders.
Reflecting on his weekend, Stroll explained his Saturday performance heavily impacted his overall weekend. Looking ahead, the Canadian wants to put it behind and prepare of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix next weekend.
“Um yeah it’s Monaco, you know when you have a tough Saturday, Sunday is always a challenge so yeah it was always going to be tricky from the back today.
“I mean red flags, traffic, all that stuff yesterday, just unfortunate circumstances you know really made for the impossible today. So yeah just turn the page and look forward to Barcelona.”
