Fernando Alonso, fighting a Honda power deficit, said on Saturday: “Try to finish the race, make no mistakes like I did today, and don’t crash the car. We are fighting for not many important places, so it’s important to keep the car alive for the triple‑header.”
Starter‑Line Struggles Keep Aston Martin Behind the Pack
In the first free practice, Alonso was a startling 30 km/h slower on the 2 km Baku start‑finish straight than George Russell’s Mercedes, a gap that tightened in qualifying but left the car three seconds adrift of the sprint champion’s time.
With both Vila‑Martin indices and team‑mate Lance Stroll subjected to their latest engine penalties, grid positions fell further back. The chassis upgrade that helped Williams escape the tail of the grid does not translate to an Aston advantage, maintaining the showdown with Cadillac.
Qualifying Wasaplay, but “Finish The Race” Became the Guiding Principle
Alonso’s comments revealed a pragmatic shift. Rather than chase pole, he prioritized driver’s safety and mechanical preservation, aware that the Honda engine’s reliability remains a limiting factor for the season.
“Today I feel much happier with the car,” the Spaniard added, noting that a night of set‑up changes had boosted his confidence behind the wheel. “We were able to push more, and times were coming easier, about 2.5 seconds from the top of the field.”
Looking Past Azerbaijan to Malaysia and Singapore
Alonso emphasized the long‑term perspective: “This event is one of those where having some penalties can provide newer parts for Malaysia and Singapore, where we have more hope.” The team’s strategy aligns with the nature of the triple‑header—protecting stock components during a season of demanding circuits.
Engine Capability Versus Strategic Set‑Up
He stressed that improvement is limited to car set‑up and driver performance. “We can only control variables we can adjust to the best of our ability,” Alonso noted, highlighting that lapping slower in the corners does not equate to a commercial advantage but to a survival tactic.
Despite the deficits on the long straights, Aston Martin’s improvements in cornering were acknowledged. Yet a “long way to go” remains, with chassis and engine both needing further optimization.
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