Following a series of disappointing performances in recent Grands Prix, Aston Martin managed to make a comeback and secure a spot on the podium in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, thanks to the efforts of Fernando Alonso. It was a close call, but they managed to pull it off. However, not all of the recent upgrade package was brought in the United States.
Showing his typical cunning and astuteness, Fernando Alonso skillfully fended off the significantly faster Sergio Perez to secure the last spot on the podium at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This triumph managed to alleviate some of the prevailing negativity and despair surrounding Aston Martin.
The previous race held in Mexico City proved to be a disastrous event for the team, as their eagerly anticipated United States upgrade package failed to deliver the anticipated improvements. Consequently, the team approached the upcoming weekend at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with an experimental mindset.
Although the Sprint race did not produce any outcome, Aston did secure advantageous starting positions for the Grand Prix. Lance Stroll began ahead of Alonso on the second row, allowing the latter to seize the opportunity and claim third place after the final pit-stops. However, Perez in the significantly swifter Red Bull posed a formidable challenge, relentlessly reducing the time gap between them.
In order to prevent Perez from identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the AMR23, Alonso strategically took varied lines around the Interlagos track. He cleverly balanced his energy and preserved his tires, aware that pushing too hard initially to stay ahead of Perez would compromise his tire performance when it mattered the most.
In the last few laps, Perez strategized to launch an attack, while Alonso, driving a hybrid car, cleverly positioned himself to create an opportunity for Perez to make a decisive move into Turn 4 on the ultimate lap.
On the 12th lap, Alonso skillfully maneuvered onto a slightly wider line, giving it his all to hold off Perez. Perez mounted a fierce challenge, closing the gap to a mere 0.053s. However, the Silverstone team successfully secured a spot on the podium.
The team’s return to the podium for the first time since the Dutch Grand Prix can be seen as a milestone. This achievement serves as a solid foundation for the team, as it demonstrates their ability to overcome the challenges that have plagued their season.
Krack gives a detailed breakdown of how Aston Martin offers a flexible “mix and match” option.
During a media interview with RacingNews365, Team Principal Mike Krack openly acknowledged our team’s intention to experiment with various strategies and tactics for the upcoming year. As a result, we have been proactively implementing these changes in our recent races.
When we arrived at this place, we pondered, “Which package has been the most superior among those we have implemented throughout this year?” After careful consideration, we selected what we believed to be the most appropriate option.
The concept is reminiscent of a blend, as various components are brought together. I’ve emphasized numerous occasions that automobiles are intricately designed, demanding a comprehensive grasp of their individual workings and the intricate dynamics between them.
The focus should not be on the external world, but rather on our own internal beings.
In our pursuit of knowledge for the upcoming year, we recognized that sacrificing our results was an inevitable consequence.
Clearly, we have no desire to obtain these outcomes.
We have encountered a few challenging situations during which we pondered: “What is our utmost potential and how can we attain it?”
After completing our assigned tasks, we successfully made a comeback.
