Former driver tells Alonso to 'shut up and drive' over Aston Martin criticism

Fernando Alonso has been criticized by former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese for his public frustration with Aston Martin's performance struggles, with the Italian telling the two-time champion to "shut up and drive." The rebuke highlights the tension within the team as it endures a difficult season, with Alonso's role reportedly reduced to that of a test driver due to the car's lack of competitiveness.

Why it matters:

Alonso's history of clashing with teams is a well-worn narrative in F1, and its re-emergence at Aston Martin signals deepening frustration with a project that has stalled. For a team trying to rebuild into a frontrunner, public criticism from its star driver—a revered figure for his talent and feedback—can damage morale and external perception at a critical time.

The details:

• Patrese's Rebuke: The 1970s and '80s veteran, Riccardo Patrese, stated that while Alonso is "one of the best F1 drivers in history," he dislikes his method of criticizing the team. "If you are a professional driver, you drive and shut up, and you try to improve the project. It’s stupid to criticise the people you work with," he said.
• Acknowledged Frustration: Patrese conceded that Alonso's complaints about the difficult car are valid but argued that, as a champion, he should "defend the situation instead of attacking his team."
• A Test Driver's Role: Analyst and former driver Jolyon Palmer described Alonso's current function at Aston Martin as akin to a "test driver," with the car so uncompetitive that weekends are merely data-gathering exercises rather than genuine races.
• The Car's Core Issues: The AMR24 is described as severely lacking downforce and being overweight, leaving it unable to compete for points or reliably reach Q2. Palmer noted that fixing these issues is not straightforward and requires significant aerodynamic gains and weight reduction.

What's next:

The pressure is now on Aston Martin to demonstrate a path forward. The team's performance trajectory and its ability to manage a famously demanding champion will be under intense scrutiny.

• Development Race: The immediate focus is on bringing upgrades that can close the performance gap to the midfield. Much of the long-term responsibility also lies with power unit supplier Honda for the 2026 regulations.
• Driver Dynamics: How Alonso channels his frustration—whether into private development work or continued public remarks—will be a key subplot. With his contract expiring at the end of the year, his continued commitment hinges on seeing credible progress.
• Team Morale: Aston Martin's leadership must navigate this period carefully to ensure the public criticism does not fracture team unity, which is essential for any recovery.