Formula 1 News: Aston Martin Secures Strong Finish in Montreal, but Temper Expectations for Upcoming Races
In a thrilling wet-to-dry Montreal race, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll took sixth and seventh place respectively, executing a solid strategy to finish behind the inherently faster cars from Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren. This result marked a significant boost for the Silverstone-based squad, which had fallen behind its nearest rivals during the first third of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Aston Martin outscored RB by 10 points in Montreal, strengthening its grip on fifth place in the Formula 1 standings. However, team principal Mike Krack cautioned against getting ahead of themselves, acknowledging that the AMR24’s tricky handling characteristics and changing balance still require significant work.
“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.”
Stroll attributed Aston’s Montreal performance to the track’s emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency and performance in slower corners, suggesting that the result might not be replicable at upcoming races. “The track definitely suited our car,” he explained. “We’re quick in a straight line, not so much downforce, efficient, good DRS switch, all these things, which is good for Canada.”
Alonso hinted at new upgrades for the Spanish GP, which he hopes will further turn around Aston’s fortunes. However, he also expressed caution about the team’s prospects at Barcelona, a track that could expose the AMR24’s weaknesses. “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,” he said.
With the Formula 1 schedule advancing to more traditional European venues like Barcelona and Silverstone, Aston Martin remains focused on refining its car and strategy to stay competitive. As Alonso emphasized, “The last few months were very productive for us in terms of understanding the cars, so I’m very confident.”
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