(Motorsport-Total.com) – In qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, both Aston Martin drivers were eliminated in Q1. While Fernando Alonso was 2.8 seconds behind the best time set by Kimi Antonelli in 21st place, the gap between the Mercedes driver and Lance Stroll in 22nd place was 3.2 seconds. Alonso was almost a whole second behind Valtteri Bottas, who qualified 20th in the Cadillac.
Read more Heatwave in Spielberg: Racing Bulls without fans
Nevertheless, the two-time world champion sounded extremely positive on the radio after the session: “That was a good lap,” emphasized the 44-year-old after his elimination. “Of course not what we want, but [it is] not too far away. We are getting closer.”
Alonso explains this positive attitude on the radio after the session: “I am always positive,” he said. “Radio messages are always somewhat private conversations, and I have always said that.”
Formula 1 Quiz
With which team did Fernando Alonso start his Formula 1 career?
Test yourself now in the Formula 1 quiz and compare yourself with other users
“This weekend we are facing many challenges as a team. Maybe it’s the altitude, the track, or the high energy consumption.”
“Since FP1, we have made huge progress in drivability, the gearbox, downshifting, upshifting, and energy consistency,” explains the 32-time Grand Prix winner. “Development was somewhat inconsistent in the first half of the year.”
“In qualifying,” Alonso said, “we reached a different speed on the straight and on the way into the corners every lap.”
Read more Palmer sees dilemma: Will Leclerc become the secret weapon against Mercedes?
They focused exactly on this problem in Spielberg and made corresponding progress. Consequently, it was easier for the Aston Martin driver to push the AMR26 to the limit. Alonso also mentions the big upgrade package at Cadillac, which leads the 44-year-old to suspect a big step forward.
“It’s very easy to lose motivation when you finish last every weekend,” explains Alonso. “But no one on the team gives up. [The team members] work hard in every session to improve the car. As a driver, that gives you the motivation not to give up. After all, they don’t give up either.”
Finally, Alonso explains: “I probably meant exactly that today, because it was positive to see the progress we were able to make from FP1 to qualifying.”
His conclusion: “I am in the same position as in the last four races, but I feel much better today than after any other qualifying.”
According to the veteran, this very need for small steps is also the reason why upgrades in Miami or Canada would not have helped the team. Until the next upgrade, more can be extracted from the car in terms of gearbox or energy management. Overall, Alonso is immensely impressed by the team’s work ethic.
Read more «No want for change»: Is Toto Wolff rejecting Max Verstappen here?