The United States and Mexico Formula 1 GPs were complicated for Aston Martin, despite introducing a new update to the car. The results began to show in the São Paulo GP, where Fernando Alonso returned to the podium with a third place finish, as well as placing both drivers in the top four of qualifying.
In a press conference provided by the FIA, the Spanish driver did not hide that it was a special result after two difficult and painful rounds: ‘It’s very nice. I think we’ve been struggling for a few months, but the previous two races were probably very painful. We had to try some things on the car to truly understand the direction we were going and we have to continue for next year’s car as well. So, those races were painful, especially Mexico.’
After a performance well below expectations, Alonso liked seeing Aston Martin’s reaction, dispelling his fears about the end of the season: ‘I think we were very slow as a team, in performance, and I think it was good to see everyone in the team very focused, the determination in the team was so good to see from the outside, and going deep into the analysis and coming back stronger in Interlagos. So, that was good to witness from the outside, in a way, and see everyone united going in the same direction. And yes, I was a little worried, no doubt, for the last races and maybe the final part of the championship and now, yes, I can’t wait for Las Vegas. It’s a very different energy when you have a car that performs.’