Fernando Alonso has tempered expectations regarding the upgrade package Aston Martin is bringing to the Formula 1 US Grand Prix, suggesting that it is unlikely to bring about a significant transformation in the team’s performance. As the season progresses, Alonso believes that achieving major gains from new components becomes increasingly challenging.
The upgrades for Austin feature a redesigned floor and are partially seen as a preview of the team’s direction for the 2025 season. “We can’t set our expectations too high,” Alonso remarked. “While we do have some new parts, I don’t anticipate that they will drastically alter our performance picture. At this stage of the championship, the upgrades are generally minor, aligning more with what we’re envisioning for the 2025 car rather than providing immediate performance benefits.”
He emphasized that this weekend’s primary goal is to maintain a strong understanding of the car’s dynamics, which he feels the team has begun to establish since their experiences in Budapest. “Our focus will be on ensuring that the new components perform as expected,” he noted. “It’s essential for us to build on the insights we’ve gained and to correlate our findings effectively.”
When discussing the importance of starting strong, Alonso acknowledged that sprint weekends pose unique challenges, particularly when introducing new parts. “You really don’t have the luxury of optimizing everything,” he explained. “In FP1, you must quickly adapt, and if things don’t go well, it can set you back significantly for the rest of the weekend. Starting with confidence and a positive feeling about the car is crucial.”
Alonso expressed a cautious optimism about the team’s performance. He remarked, “While the gains at this point are typically marginal, it’s vital to seize any advantages we can. If we can execute our setup well in FP1, we might find ourselves in a more favorable position, especially if other teams encounter difficulties.” Reflecting on past experiences, he recalled how a chaotic FP1 last year severely impacted their qualifying performance. “This time around, our focus is to ensure everything goes smoothly from the outset to avoid repeating those mistakes,” he concluded.