Aston Martin’s Formula 1 Team Finds Momentum in Montreal Ahead of Challenging European Leg
In a thrilling wet-to-dry Canadian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll secured a sixth and seventh-place finish respectively, capitalizing on a strong weekend for the Silverstone-based squad. This result marked a significant boost for Aston Martin, as they outscored their closest rivals, RB, by 10 points, solidifying their grip on fifth place in the Formula 1 standings.
Cautious Approach Ahead of Upcoming European Leg
However, team principal Mike Krack remains cautious, warning against complacency ahead of the upcoming European leg, which includes the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Krack acknowledged that while Montreal was a step in the right direction, the team still has much work to do to address the tricky handling characteristics and changing balance of their AMR24, which will be more exposed on high-downforce circuits with longer and faster corners.
“It would be premature to say we have understood everything,” Krack said. “I think we have a lot of work to do still. But obviously, it was a step in the right direction this weekend. There are different and difficult circuits coming up, so we need to sit down and see what is the best possible package for the races to come, because they will be very intense.”
Track Characteristics Suited Aston Martin’s Car in Montreal
Stroll attributed Aston’s strong Montreal performance to the track’s emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency and performance in slower corners, which suited their car’s strengths. “The track definitely suited our car,” he stated. “We’re quick in a straight line, not so much downforce, efficient, good DRS switch, all these things, which is good for Canada.”
However, Stroll also expressed concerns that the upcoming races, particularly in Barcelona and Budapest, might pose more challenges for the team due to the longer and faster corners. “The car is still maybe going to be more difficult come Barcelona and Budapest and these kind of long corners,” he added.
Alonso Hopeful for Upgrades and Continued Progress
Meanwhile, Alonso hinted at new upgrades for the Spanish GP, which he hopes will further turnaround Aston’s fortunes. Although he too feared Barcelona would be a more difficult weekend for his squad, he remained confident in the team’s progress.
“On paper, we were happier with Montreal than Barcelona, we think that this track was going to be better for us but let’s see if we have a nice surprise,” Alonso said. “I know the team is also working very hard to bring some new things for Barcelona, so it’s going to be a very interesting weekend. Let’s see if we can score points again with both cars, which obviously is the thing that we are looking at at the moment. The last few months were very productive for us in terms of understanding the cars, so I’m very confident.”
With the Formula 1 calendar moving on to more traditional European venues, Aston Martin’s ability to adapt and overcome the challenges of high-downforce circuits will be crucial in maintaining their momentum. As the team looks to build on their Montreal success, Alonso’s optimism and Krack’s caution will be put to the test in the coming weeks.
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