Fernando Alonso has enjoyed a far less successful second year with Aston Martin and has failed to pick up any podiums.
It has been a stark contrast to 2023, where Alonso looked like a threat for victory at almost every race throughout the first half of the season.
Adrian Newey arrives to work with him soon, which could ignite a championship charge – something he hasn’t mounted in over 12 years.
At the age of 43, his best years are unlikely to be ahead of him, but he clings on to hope that a third drivers’ championship against the likes of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton may be possible.
Fernando Alonso has never had the best car in F1
Alonso enjoyed a good 10-year spell competing for victories at the top of the sport and managed to beat the formidable Michael Schumacher to two titles in 2005 and 2006.
Renault had a great car at the time, and Ferrari were coming off the back of five years of dominance, disputed mainly only by McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen or Williams’ Juan Pablo Montoya.
He also had one of the best cars in the sport in 2010 – competing against the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button for Ferrari, but fell short at the final hurdle.
READ MORE: Fernando Alonso’s prediction after Lewis Hamilton’s 2012 Mercedes announcement has aged beautifully
Through all those seasons, the Spaniard told Motorsport.com Espana that he has never had the best car in all his years in Formula 1.
“In a way, I’m used to not having the best car. I think I’ve only had it once, at Toyota in the WEC, in 25 years of racing, so I’m always motivated.
“I’m happy to see the year come to an end. I think it’s a very long season for everyone, for the mechanics, for the whole team, 24 races is very demanding, especially the last triple.”
Can Newey lead Aston Martin to the front with Alonso?
By the time that the incoming Newey has had any influence on an Aston Martin car, it will be 2026 – the start of a new set of technical regulations.
We’ve seen in the past that those who nail them early, go on to dominate for years to come, with both Mercedes and Red Bull ruling the way for nearly 15 years now.
If they produce a dominant car, Alonso has proven over the last few years that he is just as sharp as ever, especially in wheel-to-wheel combat.
READ MORE: Alonso shares ‘reality’ for Aston Martin after ‘difficulties’ of failed season
He’s got the mentality and the speed to stand up to the younger generation as he attempts to break new ground.
The great Schumacher retired at the age Alonso is now, yet he intends to keep going for at least two more years and is probably quicker than the German was at the same age now.
Leave feedback about this