When unveiling its new AMR23 in February, Aston Martin explained its objectives for the season: leading the midfield and “occasionally” fighting for podiums. Was it lowering expectations? Maybe. Still, the team has so far offered its fans much better than its initial objectives.
Beaten by Mercedes at the last Grand Prix in Spain, Aston Martin currently ranks third among manufacturers. It holds 34 points ahead of the Scuderia. This ranking, it goes without saying, the British team owes to one of its two drivers: the 41-year-old former double world champion Fernando Alonso.
PHOTO JOAN MONFORT, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
The points gap between Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (right) and Lance Stroll (left) is the widest between two drivers from the same team at the moment.
Alonso fights more than “occasionally” for podiums. He fights every race, much to the delight of F1 buffs, who are eager to see the former champion return to the top. So far, the latter has climbed once on the second step and four times on the third. He gives his team the opportunity to celebrate more than anyone anticipated.
However, the green team will not be able to maintain this ranking if its other driver, Lance Stroll, does not begin to perform more often at the height of the car he is driving.
PHOTO JEFF PACHOUD, AGENCY FRANCE-PRESSE
Fernando Alonso finished second at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 28.
The points gap between Alonso and Stroll (64) is the largest between two drivers from the same team at present. The Quebecer, eighth in the standings, could not do better than a fourth place, acquired in Australia after a chaotic race.
As every year since 2019 – at the time of Racing Point – Stroll collects fewer points than his teammate. It must be said that these have been Sergio Pérez, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Not exactly newbies. However, there will come a time when the only Canadian on the grid will have to reach the next level. Can he?
Good start to the season
Lance Stroll started the season on the right foot. After recovering in extremis from an operation and multiple fractures suffered during a major bicycle accident, the Quebecer had managed to conclude the first Grand Prix of the campaign in sixth place, ahead of George Russell at Mercedes.
In Saudi Arabia, Stroll had to retire at 16e tower due to a mechanical problem. Two weeks later, in Australia, he achieved his best result since 2020.
Arriving in Miami for the fifth derby, Stroll was enjoying his career-best start to the season, although he was a step behind Alonso. Under the Florida sun, he had to leave from the 18e place due to a team strategy described as “too aggressive” by general manager Mike Krack in qualifying. During the race, Stroll could not do better than a 12e place. The following weekend in Monaco he had to retire due to braking problems in the rain.
PHOTO JAVIER SORIANO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Lance Stroll in action at the Spanish Grand Prix on June 4
Which brings us to the Spanish Grand Prix. Stroll started fifth on the grid. We saw him overtake Hamilton in a good way in the first round. He finally finished the race in sixth place, just ahead of Alonso. If the latter could have overtaken the Quebecer, he decided not to do so to avoid damaging his car, he justified after the race. A noble explanation, certainly…
Unanswered questions
It’s not the first time that Alonso has shown himself to be gallant towards his young team-mate. It must be said that the two men have known each other for a long time; Alonso has a long-standing friendship with Lance’s father, Aston Martin boss Lawrence Stroll. Clearly, Alonso has accepted his role as a mentor.
Since donning a green uniform for the first time, the Spaniard has spoken highly of Stroll Jr., even going so far as to say he has the speed and talent to be world champion one day.
In Bahrain, Alonso praised his teammate for his work after recovering from his injuries. In Miami, Alonso kept abreast of Stroll’s results through the big screens at the track. “What position is Lance?” It was a nice overtake at turn one, ”he said at the microphone when Stroll had just passed from 14e at the 13e place.
“Of course we talk a lot about the car, we have the same ideas in terms of what we want to get out of the car, how we want to improve it. For the moment, it is sure that we have a good relationship”, said Stroll to The Press after qualifying in Miami.
Where things could get tricky for Aston Martin is if they fight, as they want, for a championship in 2024. That will be impossible to do with just one driver. What will Lawrence Stroll do then? And how will Fernando Alonso react?
So many unanswered questions.