Alonso encouraged as Aston Martin exceeds Mexico expectations

Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin has made a more promising start to the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend than he anticipated, with the AMR26 handling the circuit’s altitude challenges without major problems.

Alonso finished seventh in FP1 and 12th in FP2. His position in the opening session was affected by a field that included several rookies and by problems for other drivers, but the time gaps offered a more encouraging measure: he was 1.229 seconds off Charles Leclerc in FP1, then 0.769 seconds away in FP2.

Alonso sees signs of progress in the pace gap

The car was assessed as the seventh-fastest package on Friday. Aston Martin had not expected Mexico’s long straights to suit its car, but Alonso said his side of the garage was working well and that the performance had surpassed his expectations.

He also played down concerns about the car having less downforce than in previous visits. Alonso said it felt much like it had at earlier Mexico events, rather than presenting an additional challenge this year.

The team’s other car had a tougher day. Jak Crawford stopped on track during FP1, while Lance Stroll spent FP2 catching up and had issues that Aston Martin planned to investigate before the next day. Crawford’s appearance in the session is covered in Aston Martin’s Mexico City FP1 line-up.

Low-speed corners and cooling remain key concerns

Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa said the car appeared stronger than expected in the circuit’s slow sections, particularly through the first and final sectors. He cautioned that Mexico remained demanding for temperatures, the engine and braking.

De la Rosa also pointed to the track’s two asphalt characteristics: drivers can push harder in the final sector, where grip is greater, than in the opening sector on older asphalt. He said the low-downforce conditions could help experienced drivers adapt, while the long straight gives them an opportunity to recover physically.

On the power-unit side, de la Rosa reported few driver complaints about turbo lag, crediting Honda with reducing its effect. He said managing engine and brake cooling was the bigger concern at the circuit’s altitude. Aston Martin now needs to resolve the problems on Stroll’s car before the next session, while Alonso’s encouraging pace gives the team a positive platform. More on the driver’s place at the team is available in our report on Alonso’s Aston Martin commitment for 2027.