Alfa Romeo F1 managing director Alessandro Alunni Bravi believes that Aston Martin's remarkable journey from a lower midfield outfit last year to a frontrunner in the sport serves as a shining example for its rivals.
The Silverstone-based outfit is current third in F1's Constructors' standings, having relinquished its runner-up spot behind Red Bull to Mercedes after a low-key Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
But there is no denying that Aston, spurred on by a rejuvenated Fernando Alonso, is a force to be reckoned with at the front of the field and a top contender for a race win if ever Red Bull stumbles.
Alfa on the other hand has struggled this season, the Hinwil squad scoring just three top-ten finishes so far, a shortfall that has left the Swiss outfit with a meager eight championship points and P7 in the standings.
Aston's impressive step forward this year, but also the team's resilience, haven't been lost on Alunni Bravi who also believes that the outfit's success is a reminder that perseverance pays off in F1.
"Aston Martin is an example for everyone, not just for us," the Alfa director told Spain's Mundo Deportivo.
"They have made very significant investments in the entire structure of the team, and in terms of skilled personnel, and have been able to make the right choices on a technical level.
Read also:
"So it’s an example to follow. And it is an important example to give hope to our staff, which shows that with work, with investments, with the right choices, we can improve and we can fight for important positions in the future.
"Naturally, it takes time, capacity and the commitment of everyone, but it is a path that we want to follow as a team, just as Aston Martin has done."
While impressed with Aston's achievements, the Sauber executive admitted to not being surprised by its progress given the team's solid pedigree.
"It hasn’t surprised me," added Alunni Bravi. "It should not be forgotten that Aston Martin was born from a very solid base from Force India and later Racing Point, which demonstrated for several years of being capable, despite having a limited budget, of being able to be between fourth and fifth place in the Constructors’.
"They already had a very solid base and they have added investments to that and a driver like Fernando Alonso, who is of a very high level and who is making a difference right now.
"So it is the result of good decisions, of a good plan and it is what we are doing now.
"The consequences of this will be seen over time, because ours, like Sauber and now with Alfa Romeo, is a journey that started in 2017 from 10th position in the manufacturers to sixth place in the World Championship last year."
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
