Once Upon a Time the Temple
As was widely predictable in Monza, on a track entirely focused on the power of the power unit, Aston Martin has once again fallen to the back of the group. Neither Lance Stroll nor Fernando Alonso managed to get past the Q1 cut-off and the two Silverstone team drivers will not start from the last row of the grid only because behind them there will be various drivers penalized for engine changes. Regardless of Honda’s well-known issues, however, Alonso in particular took the opportunity of the Monza weekend to once again lash out against the new technical regulations introduced this year in F1.
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According to the Spaniard, who has won twice at the Brianza circuit, in 2007 and 2010, the current cars contribute to destroying the charm of what is normally nicknamed the ‘Temple of Speed’. A nickname that, however, now according to the two-time world champion Spaniard makes little sense due to the problems caused by these new power units split almost 50% between thermal and electric motor.
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“Monza is no longer the Temple of Speed – Alonso commented, bitterly, speaking with journalists present in Monza – today went exactly as I expected. It was different from how Monza has always been. I think in Barcelona we reach 350 or 360 km/h, in Budapest 355 km/h. And I think now instead in Monza [the top speed] is around 312 km/h”. All ‘because’ of the batteries, which on a circuit with so many long straights do not have time to recharge, unlike what happens on more twisty tracks that perhaps have only one long straight. Certainly not ideal for an ‘old school’ driver like Alonso.
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