Fernando Alonso breaks silence on factors plaguing Aston Martin's progress in F1

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has identified Mercedes' wind tunnel as one of the factors holding back Aston Martin's progress. However, the Spaniard doesn't solely blame the competitor's wind tunnel, highlighting Aston's own shortcomings in development at the factory.

Aston Martin, one of the most popular car manufacturers around the globe, is forced to rely on Mercedes' resources in F1 as a customer team. The UK-based squad not only uses the Silver Arrows' engines, but also its wind tunnel. However, as a customer team, its wind tunnel usage time is significantly less, which is a factor hindering the team's progress, feels Alonso.

The 43-year-old shed light on Aston Martin's shortcomings in the 2024 F1 season, where the team finished P5 in the constructors' championship. The Spanish driver couldn't pinpoint a specific problem but identified the wind tunnel disadvantage as one of the many factors plaguing the car's development. Speaking on the Chequered Flag podcast, he said:

"It's not an easy solution or an easy answer because if not, probably we will do it a little bit easier than what we have found, but I think a problem of, you know, understanding a little bit the insides of the car. Our wind tunnel usage is a little bit limited by using the Mercedes tunnel," Alonso said (via Planet F1).

Alonso grabbed 70 points in the 2024 F1 season, whereas his teammate, Lance Stroll, accumulated 24 points. Meanwhile, if the wind tunnel is indeed a major factor, the team will get some relief as it will have its own wind tunnel from January 1, 2025. Additionally, from 2026, the UK-based team will get its power units from Honda, as Lawrence Stroll signed a new deal with the Japanese manufacturer in 2024.

Aston Martin also signed renowned aerodynamics engineer Adrian Newey this year, as the veteran parted ways with Red Bull Racing after two decades of service.

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Mike Krack: Aston Martin must deliver competitive car for Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin team principal addresses Fernando Alonso's exit rumors (Image Source: Getty)

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack accepted that it's about time his team delivered on the promise made to Fernando Alonso or risk losing him to a rival team. Krack said the only recipe to retain the veteran driver is to provide him with the fastest car. Speaking to racingnews365, he said:

"The only recipe is a quick car, a competitive car, and we have seen the best from him in 2023. Then, there is this extra that the driver will deliver, because when you have a car that is not competitive, it is difficult for everyone, and it is most difficult for the drivers."

While Lawrence Stroll's reassurances worked in the past, Krack says actions will weigh more over words.

"Reassurance is frankly something that doesn't work anymore because we have promised over the last 18 months improvements that we have not managed to deliver. You have to accept the degree of suspicion, of scepticism from the driver which is normal."

Fernando Alonso signed a two-year extension contract with Aston Martin this year, which will keep him on the grid till the 2026 season.