Alonso outlines Aston Martin's 2024 F1 goal.
Fernando Alonso has urged Aston Martin to “keep moving forward” following its run to fifth place in the Constructors' Championship this year.
08 December 11:00AM
Author Fergal Walsh
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

Ahead of his second season with Aston Martin, Alonso has targeted further improvements and is aiming for a higher championship finish in 2024. “It's going to be important because obviously this is the first step of hopefully good progress in the team,” Alonso told media including RacingNews365.com.

“We always said that this was like year one of Aston Martin being competitive, a lot of changes in the team, the new factory all of these things that we've been saying for a long time. So if next year we do a step backwards that will be bad. We need to keep moving forward.”

“We finished fifth in the Constructors’, we need to improve that next year. Fourth, third, second or whatever, will be welcome. In my case after eight podiums this year, hopefully I can do something similar next year.”

“EL PLAN: Keep moving forward”;

https://racingnews365.com/alonso-out...s-2024-f1-goal


Alonso reveals critical racing element F1 'MUST' champion
Tuesday 12 December 2023 16:57
Cal Gaunt
GPFans

Fernando Alonso has stressed the importance for Formula 1 to champion the ethos of clean driving if upcoming generations are to flourish within the sport. During the dazzling evening at the FIA gala in Baku, Azerbaijan, where accolades were bestowed upon not only Max Verstappen and champions from various racing classes but also Alonso.

Prior to the ceremony, F1 enthusiasts had the opportunity to cast their votes for their favourite overtake of the year and Alonso's spectacular duel with Sergio Perez during the Brazilian Grand Prix ended up earning him the prestigious 'Action of the Year' award.

‘EL PLAN: Ethos of clean driving’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ilian-gp-2023/


Fernando Alonso reflects on ‘unthinkable’ 2023 F1 season
Fernando Alonso finished fourth in the 2023 F1 driver standings behind Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton
December 9, 2023
By Roman Brock
Total Motorsport

Fernando Alonso has given his thoughts on Aston Martin’s 2023 season in Formula 1, describing it as unthinkable as he had his best campaign for a decade. The double world champion has shown no signs of slowing down this year with a string of fine performances, including six podiums in the opening eight races.

“I see only positives here as well,” Alonso told the press. “Struggles, I think, are part of the job and part of the journey of this team. I think we started really strong with the car that was surprisingly competitive even to us [in terms of] the step from last year to this year.”

“We found ourselves maybe in a position that we were not ready for; fighting with Mercedes, Ferrari – top teams that are used to fighting at that level. So, we maybe [took] a step back a little bit in terms of development, also with the car during the season, but we are not at the top level yet and we found ourselves a little bit less competitive.”

‘EL PLAN: Unthinkable 2023 F1 season’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...e-2023-season/


Fernando Alonso reveals potential deciding factor over F1 future beyond 2024
12 Dec 2023 4:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Fernando Alonso has revealed that how he reacts to Formula 1’s expanded calendar next year could decide how much he wants to continue in the sport, as that is more likely to “drain my battery” than losing pace.

I have said many times, even before 2018, the day that I will stop racing is not because I feel not motivated for driving or I feel slow,” Alonso explained. “If I feel slow one day, I think it will be noticeable and I will be not happy with my performance and I will be the first one to raise my hand and say ‘okay, this is this is time’.”

“But I don’t think that time will arrive, honestly, in terms of feeling slow because I have extreme self-confidence on my performance. But it could be that with the calendar and with the mundane schedule that one day, I will feel that it’s time because, you know, there are other things in life.”

‘EL PLAN: Potential deciding factor’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...eciding-factor


Aston Martin: Alonso ‘honeymoon’ extended
08:07 Tue, 12 Dec 2023.
by Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Mike Krack has suggested Aston Martin is still on “honeymoon” with Fernando Alonso following a stellar first year with the team which has reinforced the idea of a further extension to his F1 career. At the age of 42, Alonso said this past season with Aston Martin was his best, alongside the 2012 campaign with Ferrari when he missed out on a third title by three points to Sebastian Vettel.

Continuing to extol Alonso’s virtues with the season now at an end, Krack said: “As a team, we were blown away from the first day. “To be honest with you, I always thought the first few months were a bit of a honeymoon, but I’m quite happy we have managed to extend that honeymoon. We received a remarkable team player, constructive at all times, especially when it was difficult. When the car was competitive – or, more competitive – it’s obviously easier to be constructive but the true qualities came out.”

‘EL PLAN: Honeymoon extended’;

https://speedcafe.com/fernando-alons...eymoon-period/


Enjoying the ride: Mike reflects on a positive season and the challenge ahead
12.12.2023
Aston Martin F1 - Official Site

Our best season to date as Aston Martin F1 Team. 280 points scored and a jump from seventh to fifth in the Constructors' Championship. Eight podium finishes. The arrival of double World Champion Fernando Alonso. The opening of the AMR Technology Campus. The announcement of a works partnership with Honda. And more green shirts and caps at every race and in every grandstand than ever before.

Are we on the right path with our 2024 car? We're up against formidable competitors, and the big question mark over the winter is always what kind of job other teams have done. There's a lot of nail-biting. You're always asking yourself: 'Have we done enough?'

Whatever happens, it always results in the same loop: if the cars roll out and we haven't done enough, then we have to work hard to improve. If we have done enough, then we have to work hard to improve further. That's the only recipe that works in Formula One.

‘EL PLAN: Challenge ahead’;

https://www.astonmartinf1.com/en-GB/...hallenge-ahead


Very good physically’:Emerson Fittipaldi admits there’s one Formula 1 driver on the grid who’s ‘like a lion’
Wed 13 December 2023 07:30
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Formula 1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi has admitted that experienced driver Fernando Alonso is ‘like a lion’ on track. Fittipaldi was talking to Mundo Deportivo about the Spanish two-time world champion. There isn’t a single driver in Formula 1 history that can boast the longevity of Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard currently sits on 380 entries in F1 and all being well, he’ll pass the 400 mark next year. To reach that number, not only do you have to be extremely talented, but in amazing physical shape to continue driving at the highest level. It’s even more impressive when you consider the F1 calendar seems to get even more demanding every year.

Fittipaldi has been raving about Alonso and has suggested that the Spaniard is ‘like a lion’ which is a fantastic compliment indeed. The 42-year-old can’t drive in Formula 1 forever – although Fittipaldi eventually retired from the sport aged 49 – but he will likely continue to race elsewhere.

‘EL PLAN: Like a lion’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/eme...s-like-a-lion/