“I’m a driver, I’d love to design a car but I’m not capable”: Fernando Alonso comments on Aston Martin's poor development trajectory

Heading into the summer break, veteran F1 driver Fernando Alonso commented on Aston Martin's poor development trajectory. As a driver, Alonso highlighted his feeling of helplessness in the situation and stressed that the team had plenty of work to do during the break.

Alonso kicked off his tenure with Aston Martin on a high note, securing six podiums in the first eight races in 2023. However, the Silverstone squad failed to effectively upgrade the car in the latter half of the season. The team appears to be on a similar development trajectory in 2024.

Aston Martin currently finds itself in no man's land, stuck in a gap between the top four teams and the midfield pack. Alonso admitted that the regression in performance has resulted in the team being engaged in regular battles with Williams, Alpine, and VCARB.

"We cannot hide the fact that we are fighting today with Williams, AlphaTauri and Alpine. Last year we were looking maybe to the top four teams. Now they are out of reach and we are just defending from the guys behind," the 43-year-old was quoted as saying by GPblog.

The two-time F1 champion would love to take the matter into his own hands and design the car but admits he cannot do it.

"Even at the beginning of the year, in qualifying especially, we were always top five top six, in the mix, so definitely a lot of work to do for us in summer break and the second part of the year. We will not give up, but we need to work. I'm a driver. I would love to design the car, but I'm not capable to do it," he added.

Aston Martin team principal, Mike Krack recently addressed the team's development path, acknowledging the pressure to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

The team currently occupies fifth place in the constructors' standings, with 73 points, down 144 points compared to their tally during last season's summer break.

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Former F1 driver insists Fernando Alonso can still win championships

Johnny Herbert, a 3x F1 race winner, commented on Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin's 2024 campaign. He believes the 43-year-old Spaniard must be frustrated after witnessing multiple drivers claim victories while lacking the competitive car necessary to challenge for wins himself.

Herbert mentioned that Alonso is capable of winning the championship if given the right car.

"Seeing Lewis [Hamilton], Max [Verstappen], Oscar [Piastri], George [Russell] and Lando [Norris] doing well will frustrate him personally. Not having a winning car will frustrate him because that is the way he works. He only works for one thing and that is to win races. But if they give Fernando that car, he will definitely get the job done [win the world championship]," Herbert told AS. (via GPblog)

Midway through the 2024 season, Fernando Alonso occupies ninth place in the driver's standings, with zero podium finishes so far.