
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 30, 2023 Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso before the race REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 30, 2023 Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso before the race REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
What a sublime start Fernando Alonso had to the 2023 season. He made the best use of his Aston Martin car to get podium after podium. Out of 10 races so far, he has stood on the podium 6 times. But the last one was 3 races ago, in Canada. It does feel a bit odd that the Spaniard hasn’t been on the podium in Austria and Britain. The surprising thing is that he wasn’t even in contention at the British GP. Nonetheless, his spirits are high. And as a result, he has made supremely confident claims about how well he’ll end the season.
Aston Martin and Alonso, in particular, made a lot of headlines on each race weekend. But there wasn’t a lot to talk about with the team at the British GP. That was because he started the race in P9. And the drivers or teams that are spoken about are usually the top 4 or 5 and if there is some good overtaking in the midfield or behind. The Spaniard fell in neither category at Silverstone. Though the AMR23 wasn’t suited for Silverstone, he gained 2 positions, to finish P7.

USA Today via Reuters
Jun 18, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso (ESP) stands on the podium after finishing second of Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
After the race, Alonso had only encouraging words for the team on the radio. He said, “Don’t worry, guys. Now there are better weekends ahead for us. Seventh. Probably better than the speed we had today, well done. Thank you guys.” The confidence only rose from there until the post-race interviews.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After the race, he even commented on how Aston Martin will finish the season better than their rivals. Alonso said, as quoted by Marca, “I’m not worried about the development of the car… With Mercedes and Ferrari we will fight until the end. Austria was one of our worst results and we got points. In Abu Dhabi, we’ll see.”
The 2023 season isn’t even halfway through. But the visionary that Alonso is, knows how strongly the Silverstone-based team will finish. But he does expect some niggles in the 2024 season, owing to a hectic calendar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fernando Alonso Comments On the Wellbeing of Crew Members
On the 5th of July, Formula 1 announced the release of the 2024 calendar to the public. Like 2023, the next year too will have 24 races, with some reshuffling of races. For fans, there will be more on-track action to watch. But what about the drivers and the team crews? Will they be able to perform at their best each and every time? Fernando Alonso doesn’t think so.

via Imago
ALONSO Fernando spa, Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23, portrait during the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada, 8th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft from June 16 to 18, 2023 on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, in Montrà al, Canada – F1 – CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2023 – RACE DPPI/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL 00123021__R3_2123
Alonso said, as quoted by PlanetSport, “I understand all the benefits of having 24 races and the reasons behind scheduling so many races. There is a lot of interest in Formula 1, and there is demand. So, it is good to visit new countries and races. But I believe that 18 races are a good number for team members. With more than 18 or 19 races, the stress on everyone intensifies.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: 12 Months After Ex-GF Was Subjected to Brutal Harassment, Lando Norris Reveals He Has Learned to Laugh at “Idiots” to Maintain Mental Peace
What happens if the number of races increases will only come to light truly once the season progresses? But Alonso can do nothing about what the external uncontrollable circumstances are. He has to keep his head down so that his claims of Aston Martin outclassing rivals come true.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT