Fernando Alonso has presented himself at the London O2 with renewed confidence, anticipating that the doubts of 2024 are over. He shared some interesting details with the Spanish press, including the fact that 90-95% of the aerodynamics and aesthetics of the car have changed. “We have done everything we can and have changed many things in the car,” he said. When asked about what can be expected from the AMR25, Alonso noted that the team has been working hard, but it’s essential to be prudent, given the difficulties they faced at the end of the 2024 season.
Alonso hopes to improve the results, but he’s aware that everyone does a good job during the winter, and it will be a tight competition. “I hope we improve the results we want, but we know that everyone does a good job during the winter, and that it will be very tight,” he said. The team has been relatively quiet this winter, but Alonso assures that they’ve been working even more than in any other winter. However, he acknowledges that the improvements being made in the car are already minimal, and it’s difficult to find time.
Very covered in winter
The end of the 2024 season has influenced the team’s approach to winter. Alonso recalls that they started well in 2023, had a small downturn, but finished well. This year, they’ve been more relaxed, but they’ve worked harder than ever. The improvements that are being made in the car are minimal, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find time. “When you manage to improve a tenth, two tenths, three tenths, it is already a world,” Alonso explains.
Less important tests this year
Alonso believes that the tests in Bahrain and the first races will have less relevance than normal. In the past, starting the year well guaranteed continuity, but in recent years, there have been radical changes. He cites examples like McLaren and Mercedes, where teams have made significant improvements during the season. “There are moments that, if the team occurs with the key in the ninth race, for example, the season becomes so long that until race 24 there is a lot to solve,” he warns.
New method for evolutions
Alonso recalls that the 2024 season was marked by an inability to improve for months, which affected the rest of the season. “We lost some months in evolutions that we thought would be fine,” he said. The team has identified the reason for this and has implemented a new method of development in the wind tunnel, which they believe is more solid. Alonso’s primary objective is to improve the evolution of the car and regain confidence.
More Hamilton influence in Ferrari or Newey in Aston?
When asked about the potential impact of Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari or Adrian Newey’s move to Aston, Alonso believes that Newey’s influence will be more significant. “Adrian Newey, right? Will always have more impact than any pilot, because the pilots come and go,” he said. As for whether Hamilton can beat Charles Leclerc in his first year, Alonso is unsure. He notes that everything depends on the team’s knowledge and that Leclerc already has experience in Ferrari. Alonso draws from his own experience, saying that it’s more a matter of adaptation to the car than anything else, and Hamilton will need to take some time to regain confidence.
