Fernando Alonso thinks Aston Martin’s strong showing in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix is more about the car’s compatibility with the track rather than the team finding extra speed in their Formula 1 cars. Both Alonso and his teammate Lance Stroll made it to the final stage of Saturday’s qualifying, securing spots on the third row.
Alonso’s fifth-place qualifying is his best of the season so far, and it also marks Aston Martin’s best grid positions for the 2024 season up to now. However, Alonso doesn’t see this as a major breakthrough for Aston Martin, but rather an indication that their AMR25 car performs well on the unique layout of the Hungaroring circuit.
When asked about the team’s improved form at this track, Alonso explained to the media, including Crash.Net, that there haven’t been significant changes to the car since the Spa race a week ago, and no new parts were introduced for this event. He believes the track’s characteristics just suit their car well, and understanding why could help them in future races.
Still, Alonso cautions against setting overly high expectations for Sunday’s race. The team’s main goal is to secure valuable points before the summer break, aiming to maintain their starting positions of fifth and sixth. He also notes the potential threats from competitors behind, including top drivers like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who start further back.
Fan Take: This news highlights how crucial track-specific car performance is in F1, reminding fans that success often hinges on the right match between car and circuit. Aston Martin’s promising qualifying results could signal a tighter competition among the top teams, which would make the sport even more thrilling to watch.
