Fernando Alonso gives two reasons why he can’t call 2024 a ‘bad year’ despite Aston Martin struggles

Fernando Alonso cut a frustrated figure at times over the Formula 1 season as the team took a step backwards from last year.

The 2023 campaign was much better for Aston Martin, with a flurry of podiums over the first few rounds for Alonso and a battle for the win in Monaco.

The double world champion had a great start to the season as he comfortably outperformed his teammate Lance Stroll and took fifth place in Saudi Arabia.

Aston Martin finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship but were a long way behind the top four teams over the season.

The section of the season when Formula 1 headed back to Europe after the initial flyaway races were particularly difficult as Mercedes improved, overtaking the British team.

The 43-year-old only scored points in one race out of five from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix until Austria at the Red Bull Ring. Alonso is one of the fitter drivers on the grid after finishing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a better condition than his rivals.

The Spaniard explained while speaking to the Chequered Flag Podcast that despite a lack of competitive results, there are positive to take away from 2024.

Fernando Alonso optimistic for 2025 F1 season due to Adrian Newey and Aston Martin’s new factory

Aston Martin have recruited the designer Adrian Newey from Red Bull, who will join the team next season ahead of Formula 1’s new regulations being introduced for the following year.

This signing should boost the British team as they look to fight at the front of the field. Alonso is eagerly anticipating Newey’s arrival as they work together for the first time.

READ MORE: Fernando Alonso reveals the only time in his racing career that he has had the ‘best car’

They are also building a new factory which is getting closer to completion at Silverstone and should help the team develop in the future.

Alonso explained that Newey joining the team, as well as the factory being built, are good aspects ahead of next season.

He said: “I think we learned a lot of lessons this year towards the car of next year. We completed the building two and three of the factory on the new campus, so great news on that side.

“We hire Adrian Newey. It’s difficult to put 2024 as a bad year in my books when we had some positives, for sure, off track that will make the team stronger for the future. I will think more on that side.”

There are reasons to be optimistic about Aston Martin over the next couple of seasons as they will have a works Honda engine in their car in 2026.

Fernando Alonso is still pushing for a third world championship

Alonso won his two world championships much earlier in his career during a couple of superb seasons at Renault in 2005 and 2006.

The Spaniard has narrowly missed out at McLaren and Ferrari but Alonso is still chasing another title at 43-years-old.

Much younger drivers are on the grid, such as Gabriel Bortoleto, who Alonso thinks highly of as the Brazilian is his protege.

Alonso feels Bortoleto could be F1’s best rookie in 2025 and it will be interesting to see what happens if the pair battle on the track.

A Newey-designed Aston Martin with a Honda engine could provide the platform for Alonso to succeed, but very little is known about the car’s performance in 2026.