Following a vastly disappointing season, Fernando Alonso cites the shortage of time in Mercedes wind tunnel as being a big issue.
Ending fifth within the workforce standings may need seemed good on paper – contemplating the power of the ‘large 4’ – however the truth that Aston Martin was 374 factors down on (fourth-placed) Mercedes reveals simply how dire the British workforce’s season actually was.
Although there have been factors finishes within the opening 4 races, and Canada – certainly one of solely 4 events when each drivers scored factors – was arguably one of the best (workforce) efficiency of the 12 months, the second half of the season noticed the workforce battling for scraps, whereas Lance Stroll failed to attain a single level after the summer time break.
Certainly, it was exhausting to imagine that this was the identical workforce that scored six podiums within the opening eight races of 2023 and although nonetheless ending fifth was solely 22 factors down on fourth-placed McLaren.
The recruitment of Adrian Newey provides hope for the longer term, as does the brand new partnership with Honda, however reflecting on a depressing 2024, Alonso believes the shut ties to Mercedes have been partly responsible for his outfit’s struggles.
Aside from the Mercedes energy unit, Aston Martin relied on its German rival for its gearbox and likewise its wind-tunnel, the place, understandably, time was restricted.
“It is not a simple answer or a simple reply, as a result of if not, in all probability we are going to do it just a little bit simpler than what we’ve got discovered,” the Spaniard instructed the Chequered Flag podcast.
“I feel an issue of understanding just a little bit the insides of the automobile, among the wind tunnel issues that I feel additionally Mercedes confronted final 12 months, by way of growing the automobile,” he added. “Our wind tunnel utilization is just a little bit restricted through the use of the Mercedes tunnel.”
Fortunately, the workforce’s personal new windtunnel comes on-stream this 12 months, and whereas it will likely be too late to help the workforce’s 2025 contender it will likely be at Newey’s disposal for the 2026 automobile.
Certainly, workforce boss Mike Krack can hardly wait.
“We may have Yoda quickly serving to us and his drive, so nothing can go improper for 2026,” he says in a current workforce Q&A on YouTube.
