Fernando Alonso was stuffed with self-praise on the Components 1 Dutch Grand Prix, claiming that being “an excellent driver” allowed him to transform a one-stop technique right into a shock factors end for Aston martin
The Spanish racer completed ninth at Zandvoort on Sunday from 18th on the grid, claiming his second factors outcomes of the 2026 marketing campaign after tenth at Monaco in June.
The best way spectacular Alonso took ninth was very spectacular too, as he acquired so far as the thirty fourth lap on a pair of soppy tyres earlier than switching to laborious rubber for the rest of the 72-lap contest.
That was amid different drivers utilising at the very least a two-stop technique, so the double world champion would wait patiently behind these set to pit after which take advantage of the overcut in clear air.
“I am an excellent driver,” stated Alonso, when requested how he made it work. “That was not the plan. I feel the plan was two stops and to go extra typical.
“However we have to typically deviate a little bit bit from what’s regular. After we are in visitors, we can not use our potential.
“We’re sooner within the corners and the individuals in entrance of us, we’re slower on the straights, and we’re caught behind.
“So, as quickly as we have now free observe in entrance of us, we attempt to use it, even when it is not the optimum efficiency and the optimum technique and it is what we did at the moment.”
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Alexander Albon, Williams
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
Alonso’s end result got here after Aston Martin introduced a radically completely different chassis to Budapest on the prior spherical, earlier than bringing an upgraded Honda engine to the Netherlands.
The updates have to this point labored nicely because the British marque is not F1’s slowest workforce – a tag that now belongs to newcomer Cadillac – however its Zandvoort weekend didn’t begin positively.
Alonso certified final for the dash race – team-mate Lance Stroll was in nineteenth – as he encountered driveability issues resulting from his straightline mode not working, inflicting him to lock up at Flip 1.
Stroll and the Spaniard finally completed the dash in seventeenth and 18th earlier than a extra respectable qualifying session for Sunday’s race, taking 18th and nineteenth forward of Haas and Cadillac.
Alonso reckons Aston Martin won’t be “aggressive” on the low-downforce Monza up subsequent, however Zandvoort nonetheless represented “one other step ahead” for the Silverstone-based outfit.
“Particularly on the chassis facet,” he added. “We introduced 4 or 5 parts right here.
“Additionally, the Budapest bundle was understood within the break and with all the info accessible after the race, we fine-tuned a little bit bit the set-up round that new spec, plus the brand new elements.
“I feel, now, we’re optimising the chassis facet and we’re capable of extract the utmost.
“On the engine, it is tougher. I do not assume we could be black and white on if we have now extra energy or not.
“From the motive force’s facet of issues, you modify circuit one month after the opposite race, so the drivability has been a tough weekend.
“We’re combating the downshift once more and we’re combating the engine braking nook to nook. So, it was a difficult weekend in that regard.”
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