Fernando Alonso admitted Aston Martin have failed to capitalise on the opportunity presented by Formula 1’s rules to close the gap to the front-running teams.
Aston Martin enjoyed a highly competitive season in 2023 and Alonso delivered eight podium finishes for them. But they have struggled so far this year and scored just 74 points – little more than a third of what they had after 15 rounds last season.
Alonso, whose best finish so far this year is a single fifth place five months ago in the second round, admitted “it’s a little bit frustrating not to be able to fight at the top” after last year.
“But you understand the nature of the sport as well and I think we have to wait for better times,” he told the official F1 channel.
The new regulations F1 introduced in 2022 were intended to reduce the gap between the teams and encourage better racing. Alonso believes they have been successful but said Aston Martin haven’t taken full advantage of them.
“I think the intention of the regulations are working fine because we have four teams fighting for victory and this is better than what we used to have,” he said. “So if we are not able to fight further up, it’s because we didn’t do a good job, it’s not because of the regulations.
“We have the same possibilities as everyone else, the same budget, good facilities but we are not doing a good job at the moment. But I think the regulations are working and in 2026, maybe we see a mix, some people more competitive than now and some people less.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“But it will be always on or two teams dominating the sport. This is Formula 1 so always the best people win and at the moment Red Bull and McLaren. Now they are the best.”
With little prospect of the team moving up or down in the championship standings before the end of the year, Alonso’s team mate Lance Stroll said the they are increasingly focused on their plans for next season.
“We’re trying to find performance in the car for the remaining nine races,” said Stroll. “There’s still a lot of points up for grabs.
“But this is also the time of the year that the focus shifts to ’25 and, the development for the ’25 car. So there’s a lot, going on back in Silverstone right now.”
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2024 Italian Grand Prix
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…