Eddie Jordan says that Fernando Alonso’s Formula 1 form is “nowhere near” the level the Spaniard would expect, following a difficult first half of the season.
Jordan passed comment on Alonso’s performance during the Formula For Success podcast with David Coulthard, as the pair discussed the ongoing struggles of Sergio Perez.
Reflecting on Perez’s poor Belgian Grand Prix performance, Coulthard remarked that “time stands still for no man” when it comes to performance in the sport, suggesting the Mexican may have “turned the page.”
“Tell me anyone that has gone for a long career that has just been getting better and better?” he remarked.
“You see that exactly with Alonso where, at the beginning of the year, he was awesome,” Jordan replied.
“At the moment, I’d have to look to see where he ends up and whether he’s actually in the top 10 or not.
“As it happens he drove well yesterday [in Belgium], dragged more points for Aston, but at the same time he’s nowhere near the level he thinks he can be at.”
Alonso is driving his 21st season in Formula 1, an unparalleled tenure in the sport.
He has come close to emulating his early Championship-winning years with Renault, most obviously during his time at Ferrari, however has since languished in the midfield at McLaren, Alpine, and latterly Aston Martin.
The 2023 season showed immense promise for Aston Martin. The team finished fifth in the Constructors Championship with 280 points, Alonso securing eight podiums in the process.
In 2024, the team has looked a far cry from the potential it showed early last year, with Alonso’s P5 in Saudi Arabia his highest finish of the year.
Jordan believes it’s a struggle that weighs heavily on Alonso, particularly in contrast to Lewis Hamilton’s recent success.
“Because, for him in his mind, he’s every bit as good as Lewis [Hamilton].
“He expected to be able to fight with Lewis this year and to be honest, that hasn’t happened and you can’t see it happening for the remainder of this year.
“So I also think about, psychologically, what goes on in these guy’s heads.”
Ahead of the summer break, Aston Martin has admitted its 2024 car is “more difficult to drive” than its predecessor, Alonso describing it as unpredictable and inconsistent.
Alonso believes the team’s remaining races will be vital in establishing the development path of the car for 2025.
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