Alonso Cautions Aston Martin After Historic Dutch GP Points

Fernando Alonso delivered Aston Martin a much-needed points finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, taking ninth at Zandvoort to score the team's first points since Monaco and etching his name into the F1 history books. Yet the two-time champion is urging caution, insisting the result doesn't mean the team has turned a corner.

Why it matters:

Aston Martin's full upgrade package, including Honda's new engine, showed promise. But Alonso's measured reaction underscores the long road back to consistent competitiveness.

The details:

• Alonso's ninth place marked Aston Martin's first points since his 10th in Monaco.
• The team ran its complete upgraded package in the Netherlands, with the new Honda power unit debuting after chassis upgrades in Hungary.
• At 45, Alonso became the first driver aged 45 or older to score a world championship point since Graham Hill at the 1974 Swedish GP. He is now one of just 14 drivers to score after turning 45.

Between the lines:

Alonso said the two points were "well deserved" given Max Verstappen's retirement, but he pointed to persistent drivability concerns. The team struggled with downshifts and engine braking "corner to corner" all weekend, making it difficult to judge the new engine's raw performance.

What's next:

Alonso doesn't expect Monza to be competitive, noting the car's performance will vary "circuit by circuit" depending on straight-line speed. The focus now is on optimizing the upgraded chassis and extracting more from the new power unit.