News121 stories
RSS ↗
via Motorsport WeekAston Martin Reflects on Points Finish at Dutch Grand PrixAston Martin achieved a points finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, with Fernando Alonso playing a crucial role in the team's success. However, team principal Mike Krack has expressed caution, indicating that more challenging races lie ahead.
via f1oversteer.comAyrton Senna once called Alain Prost a 'coward' for refusing to be his teammateAyrton Senna publicly criticized Alain Prost for refusing to team up with him at Williams for the 1993 Formula 1 season, labeling him a 'coward' during a press conference following the 1992 Portuguese Grand Prix. This outburst came after Prost's decision to take a sabbatical after being dismissed from Ferrari, while Senna expressed frustration over the competitive dynamics in the sport and Prost's reluctance to race on equal terms.
Senna's comments highlighted the intense rivalry between the two drivers, which was marked by political maneuvering and personal animosity. He argued that true champions should be willing to compete against anyone, and his remarks were supported by fellow competitor Nigel Mansell, who was present during the press conference. Ultimately, Damon Hill was chosen to partner with Prost at Williams for the upcoming season.
via the-race.comSchumacher help + Alonso blindsided: When Ferrari signed VettelThe article discusses the events surrounding Sebastian Vettel's signing with Ferrari, which began with his emotional first day at the team on November 29, 2014. The announcement of his departure from Red Bull took place on October 4, 2014, but it was not coordinated with Ferrari's announcement regarding Fernando Alonso's future, leaving Alonso blindsided as he was negotiating to extend his contract with the team at that time.
The timeline of Vettel's move to Ferrari was established well before the 2014 season, with discussions dating back to 2013. Michael Schumacher played a key role in advising Ferrari to focus on Vettel as their future star driver. Meanwhile, Alonso, who was under contract until the end of 2016, was unaware of the internal dynamics at Ferrari and believed he was in a strong position despite the team's struggles, culminating in a winless season.
via the-race.comWhat next for Aston Martin, Alonso and HondaAston Martin has shown significant improvement in performance, with Fernando Alonso achieving the team's best finish of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix. The new Honda engine has met its initial performance targets, but both drivers have expressed concerns about its driveability, which remains a critical issue for the team as they prepare for future races.
Honda is working on enhancing the engine's calibration and software to address these driveability challenges. Despite some progress, the team acknowledges that further improvements are necessary to unlock the engine's full potential, which could influence Alonso's decision regarding his future with Aston Martin.
via gpfans.comF1 2027 Grid: The 7 seats still open with Alonso future now clearer as signing confirmedThe 2027 Formula 1 driver grid is taking shape, with only seven seats remaining unfilled. Alpine has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will continue alongside Pierre Gasly, while Fernando Alonso's future with Aston Martin is still in question as he considers whether to sign a new contract or retire. The situation is complicated by recent performance issues with Honda's power unit, which Alonso is keen to see improved before making a decision.
Currently, 15 drivers have secured their spots for the upcoming season, including notable names like Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, and Max Verstappen. Teams such as McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari have confirmed their lineups, while others like Aston Martin and Haas still have vacancies. The driver market remains fluid, with many contracts having options that could affect the final grid.
via PlanetF1Alonso provides latest Aston Martin and Honda assessment after Dutch GPFernando Alonso provided an assessment of Aston Martin's performance following the Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished in ninth place. He highlighted that the team made progress with new components and fine-tuning upgrades, although he faced challenges with engine performance and communication issues during the race. Alonso felt that the result was justified, especially considering the DNF of Max Verstappen, and expressed hope for better outcomes in future races, particularly on circuits that favor their car's strengths.
Alonso's comments reflected a mix of optimism and realism regarding the team's capabilities. He acknowledged the difficulties faced with the car's drivability and engine braking but remained confident that improvements could be made as they continue to adapt to different circuits. His insights suggest a focus on ongoing development and strategic adjustments as the season progresses.
via gpfans.comHonda boss wants to 'make history with Fernando Alonso', he just doesn't know whenAt the recent Dutch Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso showcased his skills by finishing ninth, contributing to Aston Martin's second points finish of the season. This performance was supported by a new Honda power unit, which has been under scrutiny for its competitiveness this year. The team has also implemented aerodynamic upgrades that have positively impacted their performance.
Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, emphasized the company's ambition to achieve a historic victory with Alonso, although he refrained from specifying a timeline for this goal. He highlighted the importance of Alonso's feedback in their development process and expressed a strong desire for him to re-sign with Aston Martin for the 2027 season.
via f1oversteer.comPaddock ‘whispers’ claim Fernando Alonso’s 2027 decision is made as Madrid announcement plannedFernando Alonso is nearing the end of his contract with Aston Martin, which expires after the 2026 season. He has an option to extend his contract for 2027, and there are rumors that he has already decided to remain with Aston Martin. Alonso plans to make an official announcement regarding his future at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
Despite facing challenges with Honda's engine this season, Alonso recently secured P9 in the Dutch GP, marking a significant improvement in his performance. His decision to stay with Aston Martin appears influenced by the team's potential for success and his desire to avoid leaving just as they begin to make progress.
via f1technical.netFernando Alonso Achieves P9 Finish at Dutch Grand PrixFernando Alonso delivered a strong performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, finishing in ninth place and earning two points for Aston Martin. Starting from 18th on the grid, Alonso's drive was notable, while his teammate Lance Stroll had to retire due to a handling issue.
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso picks between Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher after racing bothFernando Alonso, a veteran Formula 1 driver, shared his thoughts on Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher, highlighting his experience racing against both. In a recent interview, he ranked Verstappen as his toughest competitor, giving him a score of 9.9 out of 10, while acknowledging that he has no major weaknesses in his driving style. Alonso noted that Verstappen has improved significantly since his early years, where he made minor mistakes, and now consistently performs at a high level.
Alonso's career has seen him compete in the midfield for teams like McLaren, Alpine, and Aston Martin while Verstappen has been a dominant force in recent seasons. Alonso also reflected on his past rivalries, including his battles with Schumacher, Hamilton, and Vettel, emphasizing the competitive nature of the sport and the evolution of drivers over time.
via Motorsport.comFernando Alonso hailed as "actual GOAT" after F1 Dutch GP: "Just a machine"Fernando Alonso received significant praise from fans after his impressive performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he moved from 18th to 9th place, earning his first points since the Monaco Grand Prix. This result comes after a challenging start to the season for Aston Martin, which saw multiple retirements for both Alonso and his teammate, Lance Stroll, before the introduction of car upgrades at recent races.
Fans celebrated Alonso's achievement, dubbing him the 'actual GOAT' and highlighting his ability to perform well even in less competitive machinery. Currently, Alonso sits 19th in the drivers' championship with three points, tied with Esteban Ocon, while several other drivers have yet to score any points this season.
via PlanetF1Untelevised Adrian Newey, Fernando Alonso team radio emerges after Dutch GPUntelevised team radio footage from the Dutch Grand Prix revealed Adrian Newey congratulating Fernando Alonso for his performance after finishing ninth. This result marked Aston Martin's second points finish of the 2026 Formula 1 season, aided by the debut of Honda's upgraded power unit. Alonso's ninth-place finish was significant as it was his first points-scoring race since Monaco in early June.
During the race, Alonso faced challenges with his team radio, which affected communication with his engineers. Despite these issues, he confirmed that the race strategy remained clear and did not impact his performance significantly. Alonso expressed gratitude towards his team for their support and acknowledged the car's improved performance.
via PlanetF1F1 points all-time rankings: Where do Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso feature?The article discusses the all-time points rankings in Formula 1, highlighting the top drivers currently active and their historical standings. Lewis Hamilton leads the list with over 5200 points, followed by Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, showcasing the impact of the revised points system introduced in 2010.
It also notes how the current scoring system, which rewards more drivers and includes points for fastest laps and sprint races, has contributed to the high point totals of modern drivers. The article provides insights into the careers of other notable drivers like Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, emphasizing the differences in scoring systems throughout F1's history.
via Formula1.comNorris edges Alonso to clinch Zandvoort fan voteLando Norris was voted Driver of the Day following his victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking his second consecutive win in the 2026 season. He started from pole position and demonstrated a strong performance throughout the race, ultimately clinching the win at Zandvoort for the second time in three years.
Fernando Alonso finished as the runner-up in the fan voting, contributing to Aston Martin's points. The voting percentages highlighted Norris's popularity among fans, with Alonso closely trailing behind. Other notable drivers in the voting included Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, and Yuki Tsunoda.
via RacingNews365Fernando Alonso makes 'amazing' three-second claim as Aston Martin wait endsFernando Alonso has highlighted a significant improvement for Aston Martin, claiming they have reduced their qualifying deficit by three seconds over the last two races following recent upgrades. Despite not making it to Q2 at the Dutch Grand Prix, Alonso noted that the team is closing the gap to the leaders, with a marked difference in performance compared to previous races. He emphasized the need for continued development to maintain this momentum.
While Alonso is optimistic about the upgrades, teammate Lance Stroll has a more cautious view, suggesting the improvements are minimal. Alonso pointed out that their chassis performs well in races, which could help them capitalize on competitors with older tires. However, he also acknowledged the challenges posed by the track layout, particularly regarding overtaking opportunities.
via f1technical.netAston Martin offers its first assessment of the upgraded Honda power unitAston Martin faced a challenging qualifying session at the Dutch Grand Prix, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll unable to advance beyond Q1. Despite their disappointing positions, the team expressed optimism about the improvements made with their upgraded Honda power unit and overall package, noting that they are closer to the leading teams than in previous races. Alonso's qualifying time was 1:13.650, while Stroll's was 1:13.818, placing them 18th and 19th respectively.
Team Principal Adrian Newey highlighted the progress in chassis and aerodynamic performance but acknowledged that driveability remains a key issue. Both drivers reported that while their qualifying pace was lacking, they believe their race pace could be more competitive. The team aims to address the driveability concerns to unlock further performance as they head into the race.
via gpfans.comAston Martin Drivers Critique Honda Engine Upgrade After Dutch GPLance Stroll and Fernando Alonso expressed disappointment with Honda's new power unit following their early exit in qualifying at the Dutch Grand Prix. Stroll described the upgrade as a 'lottery' and stated it was 'not nearly enough' to improve their performance.
via grandprix.comAlonso to meet with owner Stroll for contract talksFernando Alonso is preparing for contract discussions with Aston Martin's owner, Lawrence Stroll, as he evaluates his future with the team. The talks come amid challenges faced by Aston Martin's newly introduced Honda-powered package, which encountered drivability issues during the recent Sprint qualifying at Zandvoort, where Alonso finished last. Despite these setbacks, Alonso acknowledges that the new engine represents progress, although it requires further refinement and understanding.
The ongoing discussions about Alonso's contract are particularly significant as Aston Martin has recently altered its ownership structure. Alonso, who had previously suggested a decision would be made in the summer, now states that there is no immediate deadline. He plans to continue discussions with Stroll and potentially with Adrian Newey at the factory, as the team works to address the technical challenges presented by the new power unit.
via gpfans.comAston Martin confirm pitlane start for Fernando Alonso at F1 Dutch Grand PrixAston Martin has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will begin the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix from the pitlane due to issues encountered during qualifying. Alonso's performance was hindered by a malfunctioning straight line mode, resulting in a last-place finish in the qualifying session. The team made overnight setup changes to address these problems, which they hope will improve performance during the race.
The sprint race is set to start at 11:00 UK time, and Alonso expressed that he is still in the early stages of understanding the impact of Honda's recent power unit upgrade. The team had entered the weekend with optimism following a significant upgrade package, but the qualifying issues were an unwelcome setback as they continue to gather data on the new components.
via RacingNews365Sainz and Alonso to Start Dutch GP Sprint from Pit LaneCarlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will begin the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix from the pit lane. This decision follows adjustments made to their car setups ahead of the event.Page 4 of 7