Fernando Alonso believes that Lance Stroll’s contribution to the development of the car is vital for Aston Martin, as he has the ability to address issues with the car in Formula 1. Recently, Aston Martin announced that Alonso has signed a contract extension, committing his future to the team as they prepare for regulatory changes in 2025. Stroll, who joined the team in 2018, will continue to be Alonso’s teammate.
Stroll has faced criticism for his performances compared to Alonso, with the latter accumulating 24 of the team’s 33 points so far this season. However, Alonso argues that Stroll’s contribution to Aston Martin is underestimated, as he is able to identify weaknesses in a more conventional way than Alonso himself.
When asked if he believed Aston Martin would prioritize car development to meet his needs, Alonso responded by saying he did not think so. He emphasized that both he and Stroll are doing their best to help the team. They have different driving styles and perceptions of the car. Alonso acknowledges that Stroll’s sensitivity to certain aspects of the car is crucial for the team’s improvement.
Alonso admits that sometimes he lacks sensitivity to certain aspects of the car and sees it as a disadvantage. However, he believes that their different approaches to driving and analyzing the car are beneficial for Aston Martin. Despite his ability to adapt to any car and extract its potential, Alonso acknowledges that achieving 100% of the car’s potential sometimes requires the help of his teammate, especially in terms of fine-tuning and balancing problem-solving.
In conclusion, Alonso and Stroll’s different driving styles and skills complement each other, benefiting Aston Martin in various ways. They provide valuable contributions and support to the team’s development efforts.