Adrian Newey has appeared to suggest Fernando Alonso may retire from Formula 1 if Aston Martin’s current car will not improve after its planned upgrades suite is introduced.
Aston has, of course, been at the centre of constant media intrusion amid the team’s problematic start to the season, which sees them fighting at the back of the pack.
This has left Stroll and the veteran two-times World Champion Alonso with little to achieve except pride, and show nothing but patience as the team, and engine manufacturer Honda, strive to improve the issue-laden situation.
No doubt both drivers will have been left additionally frustrated by the constant questioning from media about their current woe, which Newey addressed when speaking to AstonMartinF1.com ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone – the team’s base.
“Both drivers have shown frustration, and at times that has spilled into the media. But it’s also understandable. They’re competitive animals. They want to fight at the front,” he said.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with both of them about where we are, where we’re going.”
Newey did appear to admit, however, that Alonso may hang up his helmet if the team’s upgrade – planned for the Hungarian Grand Prix – does not sufficiently work.
“It’s very important,” he said of the upgrade. “Fernando is really looking forward to the upgrade and, if it performs we hope he’ll be in the cockpit for another season.
“Given his experience, his feel for the car, his ability to guide development, he’s a tremendous asset. But he wants to see clear, tangible progress. If we can show that we’re moving decisively in the right direction, he’s absolutely committed to being behind the wheel.”
Newey stands by ‘right decision’ of upgrade introduction
There would no doubt have been temptation for Aston Martin to introduce upgrades whenever possible and available, but there has been a conscious decision to introduce them all in Hungary, in one lump.
It has left the AMR26 rooted to the back of the field, but Newey is firm on the belief that it is in the best interests of Aston that it is the correct one.
“It was a painful decision,” he admitted. “While others have been adding performance, we’ve effectively been standing still in relative terms, so each weekend can feel more painful than the last.
“But we believe it’s the right decision – the right investment for our future, if you like. Our partners – Aramco, Valvoline, Honda and others – understand that this is a necessary trying period that we, in truth, probably need to go through to come out stronger, with a decent step forward in the second half of this season and a much bigger one for next year.”
The decision will mean that, barring miracles, Aston Martin will be fighting for positions at the back this weekend, but has the confidence that its moment of vindication will come very soon.
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