F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Impressive Alonso has brought 'huge energy' to Aston

Aston Martin technical director Dan Fallows has been impressed by the level of motivation and drive displayed by Fernando Alonso, and by the "huge energy" the Spaniard has brought to the team.

While Fallows and his fellow engineers should be credited for the design of Aston's remarkable 2023 car that has enabled Team Silverstone to take a considerable step forward this season, Alonso is the car's perfect compliment.

But the 41-year-old veteran has also instilled since his arrival at the team at the end of last year a fresh impulse that is spurring on the troops.

©AstonMartin

"He's clearly a very impressive chap," Fallows after Alonso's P5 perfromance in qualifying.

"He’s incredibly motivated, incredibly competitive and he's brought a huge amount of energy to the team.

Read also:

"I think he has been very impressive from the moment he got in the car last year. His feedback is where you'd expect it to be for somebody with his level of experience.

"But he has the ability to diagnose issues with the car in a way that, as an engineering team, we're very, very pleased with."

©AstonMartin

Alonso's presence at Aston has inevitably led to comparisons with his predecessor, Sebastian Vettel. But Fallows underscored one key difference between the two F1 greats.

"They are different people, for certain, for sure," said the British engineer. "But I think Fernando has still got a huge amount of energy, he is still very, very keen to go racing.

"He keeps saying that he'll just carry on as long as he can possibly go. And that's very infectious.

"It's been great for the team for him to come around and say hello to people. We have various Spanish members of the team as well who are incredibly excited that he's arrived.

"So yeah, it's been great having [him] on board so far."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

9 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

10 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

11 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

13 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

14 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

15 hours ago