“If today were the Bahrain GP, Verstappen, Pérez and Alonso would be on the podium.” This is how forceful Ted Kravitz, from ‘Sky Sports’, is after seeing to Fernando driving the Aston Martin in Bahrain tests. After the double world champion, with the AMR23, unlock the potential of a car that, in a long run, shone on the asphalt of Sakhir and what has led to mercedes already Red Bull to fear a team that a month ago few, or no one, counted on.
Because the international press is clear: Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin smell like a podium. It is so after seeing what has been seen in the tests. With Red Bull unstoppable, Ferrari degraded the tires a lot and in Mercedes they suffered, and not exactly a little, with the behavior of a car nervesor that it blocked wheels in a very worrying way.
That problem did not have Alonso. In the 58 laps he did, his pace was extraordinary. Constant. It was a complete hammer. Such was his work that Antonio Lobato, one of the most authoritative voices in terms of F1 information, has put aside the more cautious side of him. He first claimed that “the choice of rivals has changed”, and then went one step further: “Red Bull…and then Aston Martin.”
“Aston Martin worries Red Bull from day 1”
He’s not the only one who sees it that way. Continuing with Ted Kravitz, from ‘Sky Sports’. “I give them the third position… and they are very close to Ferrari”.
“Aston Martin has worried to Red Bull from day 1. Adrian Newey already mentioned the team as one they should worry about,” he says.
And it goes on: Alonso said they needed more races, but the test has been excellent. They have been consistent. I would put them as third parties. To Mercedes, rooms”.
“The Midtown Runaway”
As for ‘The Race’, same thing. The title, “The Midtown Runaway,” makes it clear that Aston Martin may be the big reveal.
“In the hands of Fernando Alonso, the Aston Martin seemed as fast as the Mercedes one turn, but much better in racing simulation. It makes it look like a rival for Ferrari,” they insist in the middle.
And it is that the AMR23 has impressed: “It was competitive on the track in all possible conditions and with all compounds. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that this is real.”
“In Mercedes they see Red Bull qualities in Aston Martin”
In Germany, ‘Auto Motor und Sport’ is displayed on the path of Mercedes: “Verstappen starts the season as a big favourite… but Aston Martin can dream of a podium. The new car was as good as a Red Bull. Experts believe Dan Fallows, his new chief technology officer, applies the knowledge he gained there.”
“In Mercedes they recognize that the Aston Martin has Red Bull qualities,” they insist.
“Alonso, the perfect ingredient for Aston Martin”
In Italy, in ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’, they point to Alonso as a great key: “Fernando is the perfect ingredient for a car that dared to be original without copying anyone. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him attack Mercedes.”
