Pedro de la Rosa, Aston Martin ambassador, has laid out the reality Fernando Alonso is facing this season. The Spaniard is risking it all to overtake despite his car being up to 20 km/h slower on the straights. His skill and cunning at the starts are key to finding gaps and making the most of the car's limitations.
The engineering behind the starts and the cunning 🏎️
The top speed deficit forces Alonso to exploit other technical aspects. At the starts, clutch management and rear tire temperature are critical for gaining positions. Additionally, late braking strategy and alternative lines in slow corners help compensate for the lack of power on the straights. Aston Martin is working on improving aerodynamic efficiency to reduce drag, but in the meantime, the driver's skill is the differentiating factor in the opening laps.
Alonso, the wizard who brakes where others accelerate 🧙♂️
Watching Alonso latch onto a DRS on the straight is like seeing a cyclist chasing a motorcycle: he knows he won't make it, but he tries with faith. The funny thing is, when everyone expects him to lift off, he slams on the brakes and slips through a gap only he can see. His car must have a secret mode called torero mode that activates when he smells blood on the track. While the engineers sweat, he has fun.