Fernando Alonso left Zandvoort with renewed optimism for Aston Martin's Dutch Grand Prix chances, following a strong Friday practice. The two-time world champion secured the second-fastest time in FP2, positioning the AMR25 between the dominant McLarens and signaling the team's genuine progress. However, Lance Stroll's heavy crash in FP2 cut his session short, though it didn't diminish the team's confidence in their car's overall pace.
Why it matters
- Aston Martin's strong showing suggests their recent upturn, notably in Hungary, is continuing. The AMR25 appears well-suited to the Zandvoort circuit's tight, twisty nature.
- Alonso expressed clear optimism: "I do [feel more optimistic], for sure. A little bit more optimistic than some of the other Fridays... It's good to see our times up there and let's see what we can do tomorrow."
- This marks a renewed confidence in Aston Martin's ability to challenge at the sharper end of the midfield.
The big picture
- Alonso, while acknowledging McLaren's dominance, sees potential to compete with other top teams. "I don't think that it's within our reach to fight with the McLarens, but maybe, some of the top teams, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull don’t seem too far away, so we will try to be in that mix."
- With Red Bull struggling on Zandvoort’s medium-speed corners and Ferrari off pace, Aston Martin has a clear opportunity to capitalize.
- Recent upgrades and strategic focus appear to be paying dividends, positioning the team as a dark horse for significant points.
The details
- Lance Stroll's crash at Turn 3 early in FP2 destroyed the right side of his car and brought out a red flag.
- Fortunately, Stroll was uninjured. He downplayed the incident: "It was just a little lock-up. From there, I was just a passenger. Just one of those things."
- Despite the setback, Stroll shared confidence in the AMR25's competitive showing. Aston Martin faces an overnight car rebuild but remains optimistic about its upgrades for a circuit where precision and grip are key.