Can 'Surprisingly Fast' Aston Martin Stay in the Mix for F1 Dutch Grand Prix?

Fernando Alonso was the surprise performer in Dutch Grand Prix free practice, splitting the McLarens in second place. This raises questions about Aston Martin's true pace for the weekend at Zandvoort.## Why it matters:Aston Martin's strong showing, particularly from Fernando Alonso, suggests a potential resurgence for the team on high-downforce, twisty circuits. After a dip in form, their pace could shake up the battle behind Red Bull.## The details:* Alonso's Performance: Alonso set a lap just 0.087s slower than pacesetter Lando Norris and edged out Oscar Piastri. This put Aston Martin ahead of Mercedes and significantly ahead of Max Verstappen, who typically runs conservative modes on Fridays.* Verstappen's and Russell's Remarks: World Champion Max Verstappen noted Aston's speed, and George Russell recognized their potential to be formidable. Red Bull's Helmut Marko also confirmed Aston Martin's pace, believing it's a genuine improvement due to recent car changes.* Car Characteristics: The upgraded AMR25 appears to excel on high-downforce tracks like Hungary and Zandvoort, where its aerodynamic efficiency issues are less penalized. This contrasts with high-speed circuits like Spa where the car struggles.* Lance Stroll's Crash: Lance Stroll suffered a heavy crash in FP2, severely limiting Aston Martin's preparation time. However, Stroll was unhurt and optimistic about the car's genuine pace, despite the damage.* Alonso's Cautious Optimism: Alonso believes fighting McLaren is out of reach but hopes to be in the mix with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. He noted that the team's upgrades are working as expected.## What's next:While free practice results are often misleading due to varying engine modes and fuel levels, the consistent speed shown by Aston Martin, especially Alonso, indicates they could be strong contenders for a podium fight. A strong qualifying performance will be crucial, given Zandvoort's one-stop race likelihood. The focus now shifts to qualifying to see if Aston Martin can convert their practice pace into a strong grid position.