Despite F1 returning to Las Vegas for the first time since the 1980s, Alonso expressed discontent with the current generation of F1 cars’ appropriateness for the track.
Alonso’s criticism focused on the track’s difficulty when compared to other venues on the F1 schedule.
“There is not much fun to drive at this kind of circuits, at 360kph, with no grip, no visibility, and bouncing like hell,” he told me.
“I understand that from an external perspective, the spectacle might seem impressive, but these cars aren’t designed to maneuver corners at 80kph,” he remarked. “Their purpose is to excel on tracks like Suzuka, Barcelona, and Silverstone, maximizing their capabilities.”
Alonso’s Las Vegas Grand Prix didn’t go according to plan, encountering an early setback by spinning into the first corner on the opening lap. However, a sequence of events during the race, including a Safety Car deployment due to Lando Norris’s crash, allowed Alonso to re-enter the competition and secure a ninth-place finish.
Reviewing his performance, Alonso stated, “I haven’t had the chance to watch the TV footage yet, so I still need to see what exactly occurred. Initially, I thought it was game over when I saw the Alfa Romeo [of Bottas], so I’m content with the final result and managing to score some points.”
In the meantime, Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll, delivered an impressive performance by making his way from the back of the field to finish in fifth place.
Stroll’s recovery came after a difficult weekend that saw him earn a five-place grid penalty.
The double-points finish has increased Aston Martin’s hopes of contending for fourth place in the constructors’ championship, closing the gap with McLaren to just 11 points.
As the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi approaches, attention is turning to the drivers’ standings, where Alonso is currently equal on 200 points with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz for fourth place, while Lando Norris is just five points behind in sixth.
