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Alonso reveals Aston Martin's Australia GP plan after 'better' qualifying

Photo: Race Pictures

12:00, 07 Mar

byHenry Eccles

Fernando Alonso has warned Aston Martin need to be "very flexible" during the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday in order to not risk being 'compromised' for the next race in China.

The 44-year-old just missed out on Q2 thanks to Alpine's Franco Colapinto's late lap, and while some would argue that is progress for an Aston Martin lacking in parts, pace, and mileage, Alonso said he doesn't think "it changes anything" other than a small boost to team morale.

Things were even worse on the other side of the garage, with Lance Stroll missing both FP3 and qualifying, and just about being able to enter Sunday's race despite the 107% rule.

Aston may have to stop at 'first sign' of issues, says Alonso

Photo: Race Pictures

The weekend started with team principal Adrian Newey claiming Alonso could not do more than 25 laps in the AMR26 without risking 'permanent nerve damage,' and while the Spaniard counter-claimed he could go three hours in a quick car, he admitted Aston's running may very well have to be stopped at the "first sign" of trouble.

Speaking to the media post-qualifying, Alonso said: “We will be flexible every lap, we will monitor the situation. "As Adrian said yesterday, we are short on parts, so there is no secret on that.

“And China is next week. So hopefully we can do as many laps as possible, hopefully we can do nearly the whole race.

“But, the first sign that there is something potentially wrong, we cannot risk running until we make some big damage and then we compromise next week. So we will have to be very flexible.”

The two-time world champion was then asked whether he could take any encouragement from not being last on the grid, as he finished ahead of the two Cadillac drivers on pace.

"I don't think it does change anything, but it may change a little bit in the garage. The mechanics, they've been working flat out and changing power units day and night the last six weeks.

“So even on the other side of the garage, with Lance being so unlucky in FP3 and quali with zero laps, when you go on track and you are in the mix with a few cars, it's a little bit better than being dead last, as we were yesterday.

“So maybe that's enough to ignite a little bit of motivation in everyone in the garage. And that's probably part of our job now as drivers to keep the morale of the team high in difficult moments.”

Stroll learns Australian GP fate as FIA '107%' decision made

Stroll was lucky to avoid a race disqualification after such limited running in practice and qualifying, but the FIA have ruled he can compete on Sunday after assessing the 107% rule.

Read here to find out more on the verdict.