Fernando Alonso: « We really need something from the factory »

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was a real challenge for Fernando Alonso, who had to settle for 13th position in qualifying, more than 7 tenths behind Max Verstappen, the pole position holder. A significant gap, especially on a circuit where the Spaniard had shone in the past. After pushing his car to the limit, the Aston Martin driver did not hide his disappointment. “It’s difficult because if I crash, everyone will blame my mistake,” Alonso said after the session, highlighting that despite his efforts, the car did not respond as he had hoped.

Fernando Alonso, who knows this circuit well after performing in 2022, revealed that he pushed beyond his limits to try to unlock the car’s potential, but without success. “Even with a very clean lap in Q2, we finished 13th. We really need something from the factory, not from the track side,” he insisted. This bitter observation highlights a recurring problem for the Silverstone team: the difficulty in developing the car.

Aston Martin stuck in a lack of progress

Since the start of the 2025 season, expectations were high for Aston Martin, following a third place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2023. However, the team has not been able to capitalize on the progress made last year. In Jeddah, Alonso once again observed the car’s stagnation. The team tested several configurations without finding a satisfactory solution. « We tried many things, but nothing worked », explained the driver, adding that this lack of progress required a more significant response, coming directly from the factory.

Aston Martin, however, one of the most ambitious teams in the paddock, seems to be lagging behind the other teams. While McLaren continues to dominate with an impressive pace, teams like Ferrari and Mercedes have also shown signs of progress. In this context, Aston Martin finds itself trailing, unable to achieve significant improvements.

The stakes for Alonso and the future of Aston Martin

For Alonso, this situation raises questions about the future of the team and his own. At 43, the Spanish driver does not lose sight of his goals: to remain competitive and aim for podiums. If Aston Martin cannot quickly right the ship, the team’s ambitions could diminish significantly. The fight for the title already seems out of reach, and the challenge for the British constructor is now to stay in the leading pack.

This 2025 season could be decisive for the Aston Martin project. While the new regulations for 2026 are capturing much of the attention, it is crucial that the team finds solutions for 2025. If they fail to make the necessary improvements, the team could find itself falling behind, which could call into question Alonso’s ambitions for the rest of his Formula 1 career.