Daily News 19

Tag: Fernando Alonso

  • F1 Cannot Continue This Way

    F1 Cannot Continue This Way

    Fernando Alonso has issued a stark warning that Formula 1 “cannot continue this way” after expressing frustration that the current generation of cars fails to do justice to the challenging new Madring circuit, the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix.

    Alonso Praises Madring Layout but Criticizes Car Limitations

    The Aston Martin driver was full of praise for the demanding 5.4km Madrid layout, which features several high-speed, high-commitment corners with minimal margin for error. However, he argued the track’s character is wasted on machinery overly reliant on battery management rather than driver skill.

    “It is sad, in a way, with this generation of cars to come to a very nice circuit like this one, with challenges here and there, like La Monumental corner, Turn 12,” the two-time world champion said. “It cannot be that Michael [Alonso’s PR] is faster than Max Verstappen if he has more battery, because Turn 12 is such an incredible corner that Max Verstappen has to be making the difference compared to Michael, and at the moment we can’t.

    “But Formula 1 or motorsport in general should be that in Turn 12, if Michael is braver than me, he goes faster. If I have more attributes, I will go faster than him, that’s how we should be qualifying. Now it’s just [depending on] how much [battery charge] I have, I will go faster or slower.”

    Push for Earlier V8 Return and Honda Support

    While F1 is gradually shifting toward a 60-40 combustion-to-electric power split for the 2027 regulations, Alonso is advocating for an accelerated return to V8 engines before the next planned rules cycle in 2031. The Spaniard has also held discussions with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding additional support for Honda, Aston Martin’s power unit supplier, which is currently struggling with performance.

    Honda has already received concessions under the ADUO catch-up system for underperforming manufacturers, though the mechanism is widely viewed as imperfect and slated for further adjustment.

    “I did speak with him but I speak with Stefano [Domenicali, F1 boss] regularly every week, because Formula 1 cannot continue in this way,” Alonso lamented. “We cannot wait for 2031 to have a proper sport, so I think it’s also my responsibility to help them with my experience, to make whatever we can do.”

    Contract Future Remains Open

    Alonso’s outspoken stance comes amid ongoing public speculation regarding his racing future. The 45-year-old veteran is widely expected to extend his stay with Aston Martin through the 2027 regulation change.

  • Lance Stroll Faces Grid Penalty at Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

    Lance Stroll Faces Grid Penalty at Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

    Lance Stroll Hit With 40-Place Grid Penalty for Spanish Grand Prix

    Aston Martin has confirmed that Lance Stroll will serve a substantial grid penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix after the team introduced a suite of new power unit elements on his AMR26. The changes push multiple components beyond their season allocations, triggering a cumulative 40-place drop that will relegate the Canadian driver to the back of the starting grid.

    Power Unit Changes Exceed Allocation Limits

    According to the FIA’s technical delegate report, Stroll’s car is now running its fifth internal combustion engine (ICE), fifth turbocharger, and fifth Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K). Additionally, the team has fitted a sixth Energy Store (ES) and a seventh Power Unit Ancillaries (PU-ANC) unit.

    Under Formula 1’s sporting regulations, the first time a driver exceeds the permitted allocation for any power unit element, a 10-place grid penalty is applied. Each subsequent exceedance of the same element incurs a five-place penalty. All penalties accumulated at a single event are applied cumulatively.

    Breakdown of Stroll’s Penalties

    • Fifth ICE: 10-place penalty
    • Fifth Turbocharger: 10-place penalty
    • Seventh PU-ANC: 10-place penalty
    • Sixth Energy Store: 5-place penalty
    • Fifth MGU-K: 5-place penalty

    The combined total amounts to a 40-place grid drop. Since any penalty exceeding 15 places mandates a start from the back of the field, Stroll will line up in last position for Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, regardless of his qualifying performance.

    Reliability Woes Surface During Friday Practice

    The decision to introduce fresh components follows a troubling Friday at the Madrid circuit. Stroll encountered a suspected battery issue towards the end of Free Practice 2, cutting his running short. The problem aligns with the Energy Store change and raises questions about the reliability of the current specification.

    Teammate Fernando Alonso also suffered a setback during the opening session. The two-time world champion was sidelined by a clutch problem in Free Practice 1 but managed to resume his programme in the afternoon session. The pair of incidents underscore a difficult start to the weekend for the Silverstone-based squad.

    Strategic Implications for Aston Martin

    With Stroll condemned to the rear of the grid, Aston Martin’s hopes for a strong constructors’ points haul rest heavily on Alonso’s shoulders. The team will likely use Stroll’s race as an opportunity to gather data on the new power unit configuration over a full race distance, potentially sacrificing his result to validate the upgraded components for future rounds.

    The Spanish Grand Prix marks the latest chapter in a season where power unit reliability and allocation management have become critical strategic battlegrounds. As the championship reaches its European swing, further penalties across the grid appear inevitable.

  • Aston Martin: Lance Stroll “Unbeatable” at Many F1 Tracks

    Aston Martin: Lance Stroll “Unbeatable” at Many F1 Tracks

    Pedro de la Rosa Praises Lance Stroll’s Raw Speed, Calls Him “As Quick” as Fernando Alonso

    Aston Martin Formula 1 ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has delivered a strong endorsement of Lance Stroll, stating the Canadian driver can match two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in outright pace when the car behaves predictably. Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, the former F1 driver highlighted Stroll’s underrated qualifying speed and racecraft, while acknowledging the machinery challenges that have masked his true level.

    Teammate Comparison Since 2023

    Stroll and Alonso have shared the Aston Martin garage since the start of the 2023 season. Over that span, Alonso holds a decisive statistical edge: he has outqualified Stroll 89 times to 15 and outscored him 335 points to 131. Even in the 2026 campaign, with Alonso now 45 and Stroll more experienced, the Spaniard remains roughly three tenths of a second faster per qualifying lap on average.

    Despite the numbers, de la Rosa—who analyses performance through a data-driven lens—argues the raw speed gap is far narrower than the results suggest.

    “Lance Is Super Fast” – De la Rosa’s Data-Driven Verdict

    “Lance is super fast,” the former F1 driver said. “You know, I love to watch data because I’m data-driven. And I like to see where one driver is faster than the other. And Lance, in many circuits, in many corners, is unbeatable.

    “It’s not like you can say Lance is fast in high-speed, Fernando in… They’re both very evenly matched.

    De la Rosa emphasized that Stroll’s strength spans every corner type, dismissing the notion that either driver holds a sector-specific advantage.

    “Lance is extremely quick in all types of corners. It’s just that sometimes he’s had some mistakes in qualifying or little things that then eventually if you don’t qualify up there, it just compromises the whole weekend. That’s where he’s missing, you know, it’s just sometimes putting everything together in quali.

    “But sometimes he gets it in quali and he outqualifies Fernando, which is like… I mean, we’re talking about Fernando Alonso, you know.

    “And in races, his race pace is impressive as well. He’s very good managing tyres.”

    The Critical Variable: Car Driveability

    De la Rosa was clear that Stroll’s ability to extract maximum performance is highly sensitive to the car’s characteristics. He described the current Aston Martin as “a very difficult car right now for many reasons, not only car, chassis, but also on the engine, we have to make improvements on driveability.”

    “I think Lance is a very underrated driver,” he continued. “When we improve the car and make it a bit more driver-friendly – I must say it’s a very difficult car right now for many reasons, not only car, chassis, but also on the engine, we have to make improvements on driveability – whenever the car is driving properly, he’s as quick as Fernando. There’s no question about that.”

    The ambassador’s assessment reframes Stroll’s deficit as a product of machinery limitations and qualifying consistency rather than a fundamental pace shortage. If Aston Martin delivers a more balanced, driveable package, de la Rosa believes the intra-team battle will be far closer than the standings indicate.

  • F1 Drivers Unveil Striking One-Off Helmet Designs for First Madrid Spanish GP

    F1 Drivers Unveil Striking One-Off Helmet Designs for First Madrid Spanish GP

    F1 Drivers Unveil Special Helmets for Inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s Madring Circuit

    Formula 1’s highly anticipated arrival in Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix has inspired multiple drivers to debut one-off helmet designs for the historic first race at the Madring circuit. Set around the IFEMA exhibition centre, the new venue marks a significant shift for the Spanish Grand Prix, and three prominent drivers — home favorites Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, along with McLaren’s Lando Norris — have revealed bespoke headgear to commemorate the occasion.

    Carlos Sainz Honors Karting Roots with Nostalgic Design

    Madrid native Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the Madring circuit, chose his home race to revive a design tracing back to his karting debut in 2005. The helmet features a clean white base accented by prominent red and yellow details representing the Spanish flag. The original 2005 design drew inspiration from the helmet worn by his father, rallying legend Carlos Sainz Sr.

    “From my first karting race in 2005 to my first F1 race in Madrid. For this helmet, I wanted to go back to where it all started, bring back that first design inspired by my dad’s and give it my own touch today. Can’t wait to race with it at home!”

    Sainz posted the message alongside images of the helmet, connecting his formative years in motorsport with his current Formula 1 homecoming.

    Fernando Alonso Debuts Sleek All-Black BOSS Collaboration

    Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso introduced a stark departure from his typically colorful helmet livery. Collaborating with team partner BOSS, the two-time world champion unveiled a one-off design captioned “Tailored for speed.” Alonso arrived at the Madrid paddock wearing a matching BOSS Performance Suit and carrying the coordinating helmet.

    The new lid adopts an all-black aesthetic with subtle white accents, presenting a minimalist, performance-focused look that aligns with the BOSS brand identity.

    Lando Norris Teams Up with Madrid Artist Be Fernandez for Pop-Art Creation

    McLaren’s Lando Norris also commissioned a unique helmet for his first Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The British driver partnered with Madrid-based artist, illustrator, and muralist Be Fernandez to create a vibrant pop-art design.

    “For my first race in Madrid I wanted to do something that felt properly connected to the city,”

    Norris explained, emphasizing his desire for authentic local representation.

    “Be knows Madrid and its culture far better than I ever could, so I basically gave her the helmet and told her to do her thing,”

    he continued, describing the collaborative process.

    “I love what she’s come up with – it brings together Madrid, her style and a bit of me as well. It’s fun, different and just a really cool design.”

    The resulting artwork blends Fernandez’s distinctive Madrid-influenced style with elements of Norris’s personal branding, creating a helmet that celebrates the host city through a contemporary artistic lens.

    With three distinct approaches — heritage, brand collaboration, and local artistic partnership — the special helmets underscore the significance of Formula 1’s Madrid debut and the drivers’ engagement with the new venue’s inaugural race weekend.

  • F1 Drivers React to ‘Insane’ New Madring Circuit: ‘A Dream Come True to Race Here’

    F1 Drivers React to ‘Insane’ New Madring Circuit: ‘A Dream Come True to Race Here’

    Formula 1 Returns to Madrid: Drivers React to the New Madring Circuit

    Formula 1 drivers will once again experience the thrill of racing at a new venue this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, where anticipation for the unknown has already spread through the paddock at the Madring. Spain’s capital city welcomes F1 back for the first time in 45 years with a purpose-built track that blends public roads with permanent sections. Its high speeds, twisty layout, and unique banked corner — suitably named La Monumental — have generated significant discussion about what to expect when the action begins.

    Homecoming for Carlos Sainz at the Madring

    While on-track running starts with Free Practice 1 at 13:30 local time on Friday, September 11, many drivers have already used simulators to familiarize themselves with the venue, and early reactions suggest competitive sessions ahead. Madrid-born Carlos Sainz is especially eager for the round. The Spaniard will not only contest his first true home race but also serves as a circuit ambassador. Sainz was the first driver on the grid to complete a lap of the Madring, albeit in a road car while the track was still incomplete. At the time, he called it “honestly impressive” and admitted that he “didn’t expect it to be so flowing, so wide” — comments he expanded upon upon his return to the city.

    “I’m for sure going to enjoy this a lot,” he told the media on Thursday. “It’s going to be busy, but also emotional. I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as possible. It looks like the track has a character that is charismatic, with a lot of different types of corners.”

    Alonso Embraces Double Spanish Round

    Fernando Alonso, who boasts 25 years of racing in Spain as an F1 driver, finds this weekend no less remarkable. Instead, the two-time champion embraces the chance to compete twice in his home nation in the same season, having already contested the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

    “It’s going to be a very nice weekend,” Alonso said. “We have this privilege to race two times in Spain this year, and for the very first time in Madrid. It is special. Also a new track, so it adds this challenge for everyone to learn the track as quick as possible in Free Practice. For me, it’s double special being in Spain.

    “Madrid is one of the best cities in the world so to have a Grand Prix and to welcome F1 here is incredible. I think for any racing driver, to win in Madrid will mean a lot.

    “It’s very technical, lots of kerb riding and a couple of high-speed sections where you need to get very close to the walls, which is very attractive and very high adrenaline for a driver – close to Jeddah.”

    Alpine Duo Excited by Technical Challenge

    Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto shared similar enthusiasm after their strong Monza outing, where Gasly claimed a shock pole position before the pair delivered a double points finish.

    “The track itself on the simulator looked insane,” Gasly raved. “To drive it was very fun – lots of technical and twisty corners. From everything I’ve heard, it’s definitely something very unique. So, big challenge, but I’m excited for this type of weekend where everything is brand new for everyone.

    “I think the challenge driving-wise should not be underestimated, because it’s 15 corners, and they’re absolutely crazy – with undulation, going up and down, banking, 90-degree corners, 180-degree corners, low speed, high speed – you name it, you’ve got a bit of everything.

    “It’s exciting. As a driver, it feels like you’re going to have many opportunities around the lap to actually make these small gains everywhere. I think the track layout is something I’ve never seen before. I’m sure we’re going to have huge adrenaline in the car.”

    Colapinto, who previously lived in Madrid, added a personal perspective:

    “I’m really excited to be back here in Spain. Madrid does feel like the closest to home, I think especially because of my previous experiences and how I started in Europe – I started here in Madrid.

    “To be racing here in F1 is a dream come true. I think it’s very good for the sport as well to have another big city like Madrid being back on the calendar, putting a very exciting track [together]. It looks like a very good one to drive. It’s going to be cool.”

    Midfield and Frontrunners Alike Anticipate Opportunities

    Cadillac driver Sergio Perez labelled the venue “a proper track”, while Ollie Bearman admitted that “new tracks are always incredibly fun for us” — possibly because incidents at unfamiliar circuits can create openings for midfield teams like Haas to score.

    The frontrunners also anticipate an intriguing round. Mercedes’ George Russell, targeting his first win since Round 8 in Austria, offered his assessment:

    “It seems a wild track to be fair,” he admitted. “It’s mental but excited to experience it. Going to be a real challenge and I think Qualifying is going to be important.

    “The level of everyone in F1 is exceptionally high. It’s going to be a circuit where you need confidence. Very challenging, lots of high speed corners, aggressive kerbs. Going to be an experience for sure. Just try and keep out of the wall and build up to it.”

    With a layout described as technical, high-speed, and unlike anything else on the calendar, the Madring promises a compelling debut for Formula 1 in Madrid.

  • Formula 1’s Spanish Football Connections: From Real Madrid to World Champions

    Formula 1’s Spanish Football Connections: From Real Madrid to World Champions

    Formula 1 Returns to Madrid: Madring Debut Unites Motorsport and Spanish Football Royalty

    Formula 1 lands in Madrid this weekend for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the all-new Madring circuit, marking the sport’s return to the capital after a 45-year absence since the last race at Jarama. The 5.4km, 22-corner layout arrives at a historic moment for Spanish sport: both the men’s and women’s national football teams hold World Cup titles, while the city’s two football giants—Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid—are deeply embedded in the Grand Prix’s fabric.

    Real Madrid Roots Run Deep in the F1 Paddock

    Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, Spain’s two Formula 1 stars, are lifelong Real Madrid supporters, a passion inherited from their fathers. Carlos Sainz Sr., a two-time World Rally Champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner, even had trials with Los Blancos as a teenager before switching to motorsport.

    Both drivers regularly wear Real Madrid shirts in the paddock. Alonso’s bond with the club was formalized in 2017 when he became an official honorary member—the club’s highest distinction. Sainz Sr. received the same honour in 2021.

    For Sainz Jr., the homecoming is personal. Born and raised in Madrid, the Williams driver serves as a Madring ambassador and became the first driver to complete a lap of the finished circuit earlier this year.

    Real Madrid City: Neighbours to the Madring

    Ahead of the inaugural race, Real Madrid signed on as an official Local Event Supporter. The partnership is geographically poetic: Real Madrid City, the club’s state-of-the-art training complex in Valdebebas, sits just 200 metres from the Madring’s northern entrance. Selected club facilities will be integrated into Grand Prix operations, and Real Madrid will maintain a hospitality presence throughout the weekend.

    That proximity puts F1 cars racing metres from the training ground of World Cup winners. Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid this summer after playing every minute of Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph, is among the stars preparing just down the road.

    Atletico Madrid Joins the Grid with Five-Year Partnership

    The capital’s other heavyweight, Atletico Madrid, has also agreed a five-year deal as a Local Event Supporter. Their involvement extends beyond the circuit: the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium will serve as a major fan hub, hosting experiences, hospitality, and the Grand Prix’s main concert, with shuttle services connecting the venue to Madring.

    Atletico will also have a dedicated presence at the circuit itself. The club arrives buoyed by its contribution to Spain’s World Cup-winning squad—supplying the largest number of players from a single team to a World Cup final since 1934, according to the club.

    World Cup Winners Bridge the Two Sports

    The crossover is already active. Ferran Torres, part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning side, was a guest of Audi at Monza last weekend, inspecting the Audi R26 alongside driver Gabriel Bortoleto and race engineer Jose Manuel Lopez. He was joined by a roster of football talent including Sandro Tonali, Curtis Jones, Serge Gnabry, and Cesc Fabregas.

    With Spain still celebrating global football dominance, the convergence of the nation’s two sporting passions is set to intensify as Formula 1 takes centre stage in Madrid.

    When El Clasico Went Virtual

    Real Madrid and Barcelona’s rivalry once played out on a Formula 1 grid. During the Covid-19 pandemic, F1’s Virtual Grand Prix series featured a Virtual Spanish Grand Prix where Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois raced for Alfa Romeo and Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo drove for Haas. They were joined by Sergio Aguero at Red Bull alongside Alex Albon, while F1 regulars Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and George Russell also competed on a digital Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

    Football Stars Are No Strangers to the Spanish GP

    Previous Spanish Grands Prix have drawn heavy football attendance. The 2025 race in Barcelona saw the England men’s national team visit the paddock, with Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka spotted alongside former Real Madrid and Brazil defender Roberto Carlos. Robert Lewandowski performed the ceremonial duty of waving the chequered flag.

    A year later, the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix coincided with the World Cup’s opening weekend. Drivers tested their shooting skills in the paddock, Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar played a kickabout on a local pitch, and Racing Bulls rebranded as ‘VCARB FC’ with a football-inspired crest and special livery. Sergio Busquets, a 2010 World Cup winner, has been a frequent visitor to Spanish Grands Prix, including the Barcelona-Catalunya race earlier this season.

    Madrid Braces for a Festival of Speed and Football

    As the Madring prepares for its baptism of fire, the ingredients are unique: a brand-new street circuit, one of the world’s biggest football clubs training metres away, another converting its stadium into a Grand Prix village, and a nation still riding the high of World Cup glory. When the lights go out this weekend, Formula 1’s newest chapter in Spain will be written to the rhythm of football fever.

  • ‘One of the best moments we’ve had’ – Pedro de la Rosa on how Aston Martin’s risky upgrade strategy paid off

    ‘One of the best moments we’ve had’ – Pedro de la Rosa on how Aston Martin’s risky upgrade strategy paid off

    Pedro de la Rosa has reflected on “one of the best moments we’ve had so far” during the latest episode of the official F1 podcast Beyond The Grid. The Aston Martin Team Representative detailed the tension surrounding the squad’s concentrated upgrade schedule, revealing he was “very nervous” as the heavily revised AMR26 hit the track in Hungary.

    ‘Everything worked as planned’

    The Silverstone-based outfit endured a difficult start to the 2026 campaign, grappling with reliability gremlins and a performance deficit. Instead of drip-feeding updates across multiple weekends like their rivals, Aston Martin opted for a bold B-spec launch at Round 11. The gamble paid immediate dividends: the revised machinery vaulted ahead of Cadillac and Williams in qualifying, with further momentum arriving via a new Honda power unit in the Netherlands.

    De la Rosa conceded the performance gain was never guaranteed, but Fernando Alonso delivered an instant verdict after the installation lap.

    “I would lie if I said I was not very nervous because you are expecting, you are hoping, you’ve been waiting a long time, and then the car just starts,” he said. “I looked at the car and the side pods were so small, the radiators look the smallest I’ve ever seen in my life.

    “And I thought ‘OK, the aero numbers are promising, but maybe the cooling is not enough.’ Or you start thinking about many other scenarios where I’ve been, because I’ve been in most of the most unwanted scenarios in F1. But everything worked as planned.

    “Then after the installation lap, you looked around and the people were relieved because everything was working as expected. With Fernando, I know him so much that we look at the eyes. I always try to be at the front of the car when he comes in after a run. He looks at me, I look at him, and I know exactly what he’s thinking.

    “I don’t even need to listen to the radio. And his eyes look like, ‘yes, it’s working.’ Sometimes we’ve had upgrades in the past and I look at him and he immediately doesn’t want to look at my eyes. When he tries to refuse the eye contact, I know we are in trouble. But that time he looked and he was just like, ‘yeah, it’s there, it’s there.’”

    “It was a very exciting moment. You always have to focus on things you can change, you can do, you can improve. That was, OK, not where we wanted to be, I repeat again, but it was one of the best moments we’ve had so far this season.”

    Upgrades not a factor in Alonso’s future

    With persistent speculation surrounding Alonso’s future in the sport, his visible satisfaction provided a timely morale boost. However, De la Rosa insisted the upgrade timeline was never designed to influence the Spaniard’s contract decision.

    “I think that decision was never based [on] if we lost anyone or anything. I think that Fernando, whatever his decision will be, you have to believe in a project, you know, not if the car is quick on the next race.

    “I think Fernando is so wise, he’s learned so much, that it’s either you believe in the project or you don’t. It’s not whether we managed to improve the car for the summer break as we were expecting.”

    ‘in good hands’ with Adrian Newey

    The team’s early struggles surprised many observers given the high-profile arrival of Adrian Newey last season. Widely regarded as one of the most successful designers in Formula 1 history, Newey’s move from Red Bull was expected to deliver immediate front-running pace. While that transformation remains a work in progress, De la Rosa praised how seamlessly the Briton has integrated into the operation, offering a modern interpretation of the Team Principal role.

    “I must say that Team Principal is a title,” he explained. “It’s not a job description. Adrian has said it many times. We are fortunate in the team having Mike Krack as well, an experienced Team Principal, now chief track operations.

    “But when Adrian is not at the racetrack, Mike acts like a Team Principal. I think we have a very luxurious situation where we have people working in different areas covering for when Adrian is not here. Other teams have different structures.

    “It’s quite ambiguous now what a Team Principal job description really is. In my time, you had a Team Principal that was taking all the decisions. But now you have a Team Principal and normally you also have a CEO on top of them. I think that we have a very good structure. As long as Adrian feels comfortable and competitive, we’re in good hands.”

    Taking steps towards where they want to be

    Aston Martin has been clear that scraping points—achieved twice in 2026 with Alonso—falls well short of their ultimate ambition. The gap to the frontrunners remains significant, but De la Rosa expressed confidence in the current trajectory.

    “I think that we are in the upward trend,” he concluded. “I’ve said it in Australia this year, when we started this, we were nowhere. But all we need to do is improve and never stop improving.

    “Obviously, our strategy was different. We didn’t improve until the summer, but we’ve made a big step. We are now in a position we cannot stop. It’s just a race of time. The people have done a better job than us. That’s why they’re winning. We just have to slowly chip away all this difference. That’s where we are.

    “Everyone has to feel accountable for the results. Everyone has to feel super motivated. We have an amazing partner in Honda that we’ve managed to survive very difficult times together. We can’t stop and we won’t stop.

    “We can do it. It’s just a matter of never stop the development path that we are in right now. The only teams that do win are the ones that make the right investments. I believe I’m in the right team that is definitely making the right investments.”

    To listen to this week’s episode of Beyond The Grid, simply hit go on the audio player above or click here to listen via your preferred podcasting platform.

    You can also check out a huge selection of previous episodes—spanning every decade of F1—in our dedicated Beyond The Grid library.

    You can also watch the podcast on the F1 YouTube channel.

  • Carlos Sainz Could Extend His F1 Career Through 2040

    Carlos Sainz Could Extend His F1 Career Through 2040

    Williams driver Carlos Sainz believes he could continue racing in Formula 1 until he is 45, meaning he could still be competing when the 2040 season begins.

    Sainz is currently contesting his 12th F1 season. The four-time Grand Prix winner will turn 32 on Tuesday and is the sixth-oldest driver on the grid, behind Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, and Cadillac pairing Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

    How long can Carlos Sainz remain in Formula 1?

    Sainz remains convinced that he has many years ahead of him. Hamilton recently became the oldest race winner since 1994 at the age of 41, while 45-year-old Alonso is the oldest points scorer since 1974.

    “Looking at what Fernando and Lewis are still capable of doing, and also Nico, who is a few years older than me, it confirms to me that you can maintain a very high level of driving for a long time,” the former Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari driver told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview. “I’m fortunate to be in a sport that allows you to remain at this level for many years.

    “I also have an example in my own family… My father Carlos isn’t in Formula 1, but at 63 he’s still competitive, and two years ago he won the Dakar.

    “If you look after your physical condition and maintain strong motivation, you can extend your career for a long time. You need to be in a good place mentally, because you also have to factor in all the travelling, as well as the marketing and media commitments. Putting those aspects aside, I think you can keep going until you’re 45.”

    Sainz still motivated to compete

    Sainz is currently 16th in the drivers’ championship with a struggling Williams team, but he insists that he still has the motivation and desire to remain in Formula 1.

    “Right now, yes,” he replied. “I think I’ll stay in Formula 1 for as long as I can. I don’t understand people who say ‘no’.

    “It’s strange, because my theory is that at 40 you’re not even halfway through your life, and I ask myself what I’m going to do in the second half of it.

    “I enjoy playing golf, cycling, playing padel and challenging myself with business activities, but even if I put all of those things together, they still don’t give me the same enjoyment I get from being where I am today.

    “I’m aware of how fortunate I am to be part of this sport. It’s true that 24 races are a lot and that there are many other commitments around them, but when I go to bed at night, I remind myself that I wouldn’t trade all of this for anything in the world.”

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Jenson Button Compares Fernando Alonso to Michael Schumacher

    Jenson Button Compares Fernando Alonso to Michael Schumacher

    Jenson Button has compared racing against Fernando Alonso with battling Michael Schumacher, praising the Spaniard’s aggressive but fair approach and ability to adapt to any Formula 1 car.

    Writing in his Jenson’s Journal column for Aston Martin ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, the 2009 F1 world champion reflected on Alonso’s career as speculation continues over whether the Aston Martin driver will remain in the championship beyond the 2026 season.

    “The biggest compliment I can give Fernando is that fighting him was very similar to fighting with Michael Schumacher,” Button wrote. “In my experience against them it would be hard but fair – it was on the limit every time and I loved that. That was part of the challenge.

    “When I won my first grand prix in Hungary, I was fighting against them and that’s what you want as a driver. You want to be fighting against the best, against the greats, to see how you compare.

    “In my career I got to race against the likes of Fernando and Michael, as well as Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. I’ve been really lucky to have raced against some of the true legends of the sport.”

    Button also highlighted Alonso’s distinctive driving style and versatility across different cars and set-ups.

    “Fernando drives like no one else. He’s aggressive, he can adapt brilliantly, and it’s been that way all through his career.”

    Jenson Button backs Fernando Alonso to continue in F1

    Alonso, 45, has faced growing questions about his Formula 1 future. Rumours of retirement and a possible move to Alpine have circulated, but the Aston Martin driver has not yet confirmed his plans beyond the 2026 season.

    “Obviously, this year has been tough, but it’s still an exciting time to be at Aston Martin Aramco and to be working with people like Adrian Newey. Any F1 driver would love to race a car designed by him, and to experience first-hand him driving this team forward,” Button added.

    “I know how difficult it is to decide your future, and he’s been there once before. He left the sport and came back, so he obviously left too early. Now, he will make sure that he’s 100 per cent certain that he doesn’t want to be in the sport before he leaves.

    “Fernando’s still got so much more to give in F1. I would love to see him in an Aston Martin fighting for wins. That’s where he should be, and it’s where this team is aiming to be.”

    Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Fernando Alonso “saved” Aston Martin After Difficult Dutch GP Weekend, Says Guenther Steiner

    Fernando Alonso “saved” Aston Martin After Difficult Dutch GP Weekend, Says Guenther Steiner

    Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Fernando Alonso was solely responsible for Aston Martin’s points finish at the Dutch Grand Prix.

    Aston Martin arrived at Zandvoort with a highly anticipated power-unit upgrade from engine partner Honda, following the introduction of a B-spec car at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

    However, the upgrades did not immediately deliver a clear improvement. Lance Stroll and Alonso finished 17th and 18th respectively in the sprint, before qualifying 18th and 19th for the Dutch Grand Prix.

    Stroll retired after suffering damage during a chaotic opening lap in which Max Verstappen crashed. Alonso, meanwhile, used an aggressive one-stop strategy to finish ninth and secure two valuable points for Aston Martin, tripling the team’s season tally.

    Steiner credits Alonso for Aston Martin points

    Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner suggested that the result owed more to the two-time world champion’s performance than to Aston Martin’s upgraded car.

    “After what I saw on Friday and Saturday in sprint qualifying and the sprint, I was like, ‘Wow, I think we overreacted a little bit to their resurgence.’ And then also the qualifying on Saturday for the race, like, ‘Wow, this is not going the right way,’” Steiner explained.

    “This was a Fernando special here, doing it with one stop. That saved them. He could keep a decent pace, and what helps them at the moment is that there are really now three backmarker teams, which are far off everyone.”

    Aston Martin is currently 10th in the constructors’ championship with three points, all scored by Alonso. The Spaniard sits 19th in the drivers’ standings.

    Alonso says Aston Martin and Honda need more time

    Alonso praised Aston Martin’s upgrades after the race but acknowledged that the team and Honda still need time to fine-tune the changes.

    “In general, we’re still not in the place we want to be in terms of driveability. The downshifts and engine braking seem a little bit random, corner by corner,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports F1. “So we still need to fine-tune it and, with the deficit on power, we still lose a lot on the straights. So now that we are more or less competitive in the corners, we need to improve that. But we are trying to do all this together. “We need to give time to Honda as well to figure out what the problem is and where to fix it. So I’m happy, I’m relaxed. I trust both Silverstone and Sakura.”

    Source: www.motorsport.com