As name changes are common in Formula 1, the leaders of Aston Martin could evaluate the possibility of becoming “Awesome Martin”, after a staggering start to the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix!
At the ripe old age of 41, Spaniard Fernando Alonso showed his talent was not wearing off after finishing the race third for his 99e career podium.
Although he made a very good impression during pre-season testing, as Quebec teammate Lance Stroll recovered from injury, Alonso still felt like he was living a dream after earning only his second podium finish. in F1 since 2014.
“I had the same feeling as during the tests; it’s too good to be true. You always expect to take a step back and return to reality. But it seems real. I absolutely loved the race and even after the checkered flag I felt like I could have driven for another hour on the track,” said Alonso, who was overjoyed.
It looks like the Red Bull cars are already too far ahead to be caught, after Max Verstappen’s dominant win and Mexican Sergio Perez’s one-two finish.
But could Aston Martin overtake Mercedes and Ferrari and become the main contender?
Another solid display in Saudi Arabia on March 19 will add to the hype, but Alonso was trying to regulate his optimism.
“This weekend feels like a dream, but we have to stay realistic,” noted Alonso. The Jeddah circuit is very different and offers a whole different challenge. I can’t wait to be able to sit in the car again. »
Many observers wondered how Alonso would get along at Aston Martin, after difficult relations with his former teams. More recently at Alpine, where he suddenly announced his departure last summer.
Previously, he left Ferrari on bad terms at the end of 2014 and endured four miserable years, with only one podium, at McLaren, where he criticized the performance of the car and its engines.
And how was he going to get along with Stroll, the owner’s son?
So far so good.
Stroll finished sixth in Bahrain despite not even being scheduled to race after a cycling accident sidelined him from pre-season testing and required surgery on his right wrist .
Stroll, who also suffered a broken toe in the accident, received heartfelt praise from Alonso.
“An incredible effort from Lance, who was a hero today (Sunday) for riding so well so soon after his injury,” Alonso remarked.
“You can feel the energy in the team. Everyone is working hard at the moment and we are all very motivated. »
Alonso has long been considered one of the finest talents in F1, with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton even calling him the toughest on-track rival he has faced in his career.
Stroll does not have the same talent as Alonso, which can also be said of several other drivers.
The 24-year-old Quebecer has three career podiums, but he also has his share of detractors, who have often pointed to the fact that his father, Lawrence, is the owner of the team. But no one could doubt the fighting spirit of Lance Stroll sitting behind the wheel in Bahrain.
“Because of the injury, it wasn’t the most comfortable race for me, but finishing sixth was worth going through all that pain,” said Stroll.
“Even with the adrenaline, the pain was the biggest limiting factor in the second half of the race. I have to thank everyone who helped me to be in the best shape possible for today (Sunday). I will now use the next few days before Jeddah to work on healing. »
Stroll started the race from eighth on the grid, but got off to a good enough start to touch Alonso’s car, which had started fifth.
“I thought it was (Mercedes driver) George (Russell), but I saw on the restart that it was Lance,” Alonso said. “It was our lucky day, from this contact and also to have scored very important points. »
Mike Krack, chief executive of Aston Martin, must pinch himself when he sees how smoothly the transition has taken place within his team.
Last year the team finished seventh in the constructors’ standings with 55 points. Aston Martin had picked up no points in the first three races of the season and completed the calendar without a podium from Stroll and Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, whose retirement opened the door to Alonso.
Aston Martin already have 23 points and a podium, and the interaction between Alonso, Stroll and the rest of the team is evident.
“Fernando was a sensation all weekend and that energy was transmitted to the whole team,” said Krack.
“As for Lance, just being in competition was a heroic effort, and to see him finish sixth, after a nice pass over George, is a superb effort. It is a very impressive performance. »