Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin’s choice to focus on the Medium C5 tyre in qualifying won’t be a disadvantage in the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
The Spanish driver qualified in sixth place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, setting his fastest time on the Medium tyres compared to the C6 Soft tyres.
Back at Imola, the British marque attempted the same tactic to progress through to Q3 and made it work, prompting several teams to adopt the same plan in Montreal.
Traditionally, the softest compound has been the go-to for qualifying, but this year’s introduction of an even softer tyre has shaken up the usual approach, leaving teams to rethink which tyre offers the best edge.
Across the grid, choices have varied, but for Aston Martin and Alonso, the C5 proved the optimal option.
When asked if this was the plan from the start of the weekend, the 43-year-old explained the team’s reasoning ahead of Saturday’s session.
“Yeah, I mean in Imola we have that feeling that the C5, especially on our car, it gives us the confidence to push a little bit more,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“Then in Monaco it was 50-50 and then here still 50-50. Even after qualifying, I [am] still not sure which tyre because some people are faster on the red tyre than the Medium.
“But we still believe that on our car, it’s a little bit more robust, the Medium.”
Alonso wasn’t concerned about using up some C5 tyres early, though, suggesting scrubbed Mediums could offer an advantage over new Softs on Sunday.
“No, not really, because we still believe that the new tyre is a little bit slower,” he added.
“So, one lap used Mediums probably is an advantage for the race to start, we think.”
Alonso’s on a mission heading into Canadian GP
Looking ahead to the race, the two-time World Champion acknowledged the challenges Aston Martin typically faces on Sundays compared to Saturdays.
He emphasised the team’s urgent need to score points and improve its position after securing his first points finish at his home Grand Prix in Spain.
The upgrade package introduced at Imola has clearly paid off, culminating in a strong result in Barcelona – but Alonso is hungry for more.
When asked about race pace and the likelihood of a P6 finish, he remained cautious but highlighted the importance of moving ahead of rivals like Sauber.
“I don’t know, I think as I said, normally on Sunday we do struggle a little bit more than Saturday, and as I said, we have very fast cars behind us,” he explained.
“So yeah, P8, P9, we need points, that’s for sure, we want to be in the top 10 tomorrow, especially after Nico [Hulkenberg] scores so many points in Barcelona.
“We are tied with Sauber now, but behind them, and we want to go back to be at least in front of them by tomorrow afternoon.”
Alonso made it clear that closing the gap to Sauber isn’t just a team goal – it’s a personal mission. “Yes, that’s a personal challenge now,” he declared.
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