Alonso on Aston’s front row lockout in Brazil: ‘We needed it!’

Aston Martin achieved a much-needed strong result in Friday’s qualifying at Interlagos where the team’s pace and perfect execution allowed it to lock out the second row for Sunday’s race.

The performance followed a series of difficult races for the Silverstone-based outfit, especially last weekend in Mexico where both of its cars started from the pitlane only for Fernando Alonso and Lance Sroll to retire from the event.

But in Sao Paulo, neither the team nor its drivers put a foot wrong in its management of a session that unfolded in difficult conditions due to the weather.

"We needed it," said Alonso after the session. "I think the last two grands prix we were a little bit experimental. And we were starting from the pitlane, all this kind of thing.

"So we needed a nice result here in Brazil, for both cars, to give us some hope in the team, and just proof that we understood a few things, and we are quite competitive. So this proves that we know what we're doing, and I'm happy with that."

• Read also: Stroll says ‘smart’ Aston made its own luck in Q3

After its disappointing Mexican weekend, Aston opted to run in Brazil blend of new and old spec elements across its cars, and from the outset the team enjoyed a step up in its performance, while savvy management of its Q3 session ensured its good result.

"It's a good result today, I think we can all be really happy about what we have achieved," team boss Mike Krack told Motorsport.com after the session.

"Today, we have to really file everything under teamwork. From the analysis that went on, from the selection of which package we bring here, the execution, the driving, then also being there at the end."

Aston’s smart decision to run early in Q3 was not unlike the shocking pole claimed by Kevin Magnussen with Haas a year ago at Interlagos in similar track conditions.

Krack admitted that the Dane’s performance was on the team’s mind when dark clouds appeared on the horizon at the start of qualifying.

“We have learned some lessons last year, with Kevin, you have to be the first one with the weather menacing like that," he said.

"It is true, you lose tyre temperature. But if you are a little bit ahead of the rain, and someone else is catching the rain, that is a much, much bigger effect than the tyre temperatures.

"So that is a choice you have to make. The work on the pit wall was really world-class today. And then the drivers executed fantastically well, but also in the garage, it was really, really strong.

"And I think then also the drivers had to execute it, and they did it very well. So I think it's a great relief to be in better positions than we have been recently."

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