Fernando Alonso said he’d be happy with two or three podiums in the last 10 races of the 2023 Formula 1 season, but added he wouldn’t be disappointed if he fails to pick up any more silverware.
Alonso scored three consecutive podiums to start the season and then three in five races after that, but as Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren improved he struggled even for top-five finishes ahead of the summer break.
Aston Martin have brought some upgrades to the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, as they sit just five points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, and Alonso was quizzed on the prospect of failing to score another top-three finish.
“I will not be disappointed, it is more difficult now,” Alonso told the press. “I think there is more competition up there, it’s going to be difficult to get another six in the second half, I will be happy with two or three.”
Despite looking like the second-strongest team in F1 until the Spanish GP – an uncharacteristically poor home weekend for Alonso – Aston are well behind Mercedes in the championship and barely holding onto third from Ferrari.
While Alonso cleaned up in the opening races, Lance Stroll was unable to replicate that form and currently has just a third of his teammate’s points total.
“It was unexpected how competitive the team was, from the first race we found ourselves in a very strong position so we maximised every opportunity in the first few races,” Alonso added.
“And then in the last few events we were maybe not as competitive as the first part of the year but we still scored points in every single weekend. And now in the second part of the year we want to go back to a more competitive position. “
Upgrades will define 2024 Aston Martin car
It’ll be a big weekend at Zandvoort with Aston Martin bringing upgrades to the car as they attempt to fire themselves back to best-of-the-rest status.
There’s some rain expected in Holland but it won’t be wall-to-wall, so the team should have a decent chance to test the car’s new performance.
With Red Bull clearly on course to win the drivers’ and constructors’ championship, the leaders are already turning their attention to 2024 and Alonso was asked about his hopes for Aston’s latest developments.
“To get direction not only for this year, but also for next year in terms of direction on the car,” Alonso said. “I think in Canada, we bought some new parts as well and at Silverstone and now these new aerodynamic parts that we bring here hopefully help.”
