The art of patience
Fernando Alonso never fails to live up to his reputation, as even when he is very far from the top positions – not through any fault of his own but because of a car that, between the chassis and the power unit, is an understatement to call undriveable – he knows how to offer insights and catchy phrases. The new Asturian father, interviewed by Sky Sport F1 at the end of the Japanese GP qualifying, was asked if now that he has become a parent he will have the chance to learn “the art of patience“. The reference is obviously to the enormous difficulties that the Aston Martin team is going through, which had placed all its chips on this season’s regulatory overhaul and instead is now sailing desolately at the back of the pack. The two-time world champion, however, from this point of view, does not feel he has anything to learn.
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“I think I am number one in the art of patience – commented the Spaniard – there are drivers who, after having a car that is not even in the top-5, explode. I have been fighting for the world championship for 23 years with cars that are not even in the top-4 – Alonso claimed – so I know enough about patience and no, [fatherhood] will not change anything for me“.
McLaren Model
Regarding the situation that Aston Martin is experiencing, however, Alonso knows he cannot expect miracles: “Now we know where we are and we are very far behind. In Formula 1 miracles do not exist, you have to wait a few months. The most impressive thing we saw was McLaren in 2023, which started very badly and then at the end of the year was fine. In our dreams we try to replicate something similar, starting very badly and perhaps at the end of the year having a slightly more competitive car”. Exactly, it will take a lot of patience.
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