Alonso Urges Aston Martin to Focus on Rearview as Haas Threat Looms
Fernando Alonso has issued a clear instruction to Aston Martin: focus on the teams behind, specifically Haas, as the American team rapidly closes in on their constructors' championship position. With just two points separating the two teams and three races left, Alonso's warning underscores a critical shift in Aston Martin's end-of-season priorities, highlighting the intense battle for midfield supremacy and the need to defend their current standing.
Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin must "focus" on the teams behind in the F1 constructors' standings, as well as those ahead. With three rounds of the season remaining, the Silverstone-based squad finds itself languishing in seventh, having rounded out the top five teams for the past two campaigns.
Why it matters:
Aston Martin's struggle to maintain its top-five constructor position from previous seasons is becoming a significant concern. Dropping to seventh place, with a formidable threat from Haas closing in, indicates a challenging end to the season and raises questions about their competitiveness heading into 2025. Alonso's caution highlights the tight midfield battle and the importance of every point in the final races.
The Details:
- Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors' standings with 72 points.
- Racing Bulls (6th) has 82 points, while Williams (5th) is far ahead with 111 points.
- Haas (8th) is now just two points behind Aston Martin, with 70 points.
- Oliver Bearman, driving for Haas, has been a standout performer, scoring 20 points in the last two rounds, including a fourth-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Alonso emphasized the need to focus on teams behind them, specifically mentioning Haas's recent strong performance.
- The final triple-header of the season includes races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, offering significant points-scoring opportunities.
Between the lines:
Alonso's comments suggest a shift in strategy or at least a heightened awareness of the immediate threat. While catching Racing Bulls might still be a target, the more pressing concern is fending off Haas and avoiding slipping further down the order. The unexpected strong performances from Haas, particularly with Bearman's impressive form, have clearly caught the attention of the Aston Martin camp.
What's next:
The remaining three races will be crucial for Aston Martin to secure their position and potentially gain ground. Alonso acknowledged the difficulty in predicting which circuits will suit the AMR25, given the car's inconsistent performance throughout the season. The team will need to perform consistently to fend off Haas and prevent further damage to their constructors' standing, which could have implications for prize money and team morale.