Why Fernando Alonso is already ‘very worried’ about Aston Martin’s chances in 2025

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When the chequered flag flew at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Fernando Alonso was one of the first drivers to cross the finish line.

Unfortunately for the 43-year-old, that was because he had already been lapped by race winner Lando Norris.

Aston Martin had to settle for a single point – which they earned thanks to Fernando Alonso – but keeps them stuck in 5^th place in the Constructors’ Championship.

After a relatively positive start to the campaign, Alonso and Lance Stroll have watched the top four teams accelerate away from them – both figuratively and literally – while the rest of the midfield have made steps forward to catch them up.

Alonso has understandably been fed up at times this year after such a strong beginning to his time with Aston Martin.

The two-time world champion was on the podium on eight occasions last year but his car hasn’t looked capable of challenging that far up the grid at any point in 2024.

A story in the Spanish outlet Marca has explained why alarm bells are ringing for Alonso already ahead of next year.

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

The 2025 season is the final year of the current set of regulations and teams are reaching the edge of how much development can be done to these cars.

Unfortunately, Aston Martin still don’t seem to fully grasp how to improve their car.

Update package after update package hasn’t provided the expected step forward and Alonso once again seems to be hampered by issues outside of his control – a problem that he’s faced throughout his F1 career.

Fernando Alonso already ‘very worried’ about Aston Martin’s chances in 2025

The story from Marca talks about how other teams have made big strides forward over the past 12 months.

McLaren have taken inspiration from Red Bull’s all-conquering 2023 car but made their own adjustments that have seen them build the fastest car on the grid this year.

Alonso was keen to examine McLaren’s work after the Dutch Grand Prix to try and work out how they’ve gone from the back of the grid to the front in just over 12 months.

They go on to say that Alonso is already ‘very worried’ about 2025 given each team’s success will likely depend on their development towards the end of this year.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

It makes sense for Aston Martin to look at the success of McLaren and Red Bull for next year.

However, they suggest that technical directors aren’t too keen on ‘imitating’ their rivals and especially the calibre of Aston Martin’s staff will believe they can develop a top car without the help of others.

Aston Martin building a strong team behind Fernando Alonso but success is not guaranteed

Progress may have stalled on the track for Aston Martin but chairman Lawrence Stroll hasn’t slowed down the manufacturer’s work away from it.

Aston Martin now have a state-of-the-art factory that continues to be improved ahead of the new regulations in 2026.

Stroll is also making sure that the British team have the best staff in the garage and on the pit wall possible.

Enrico Cardile has arrived from Ferrari and Aston Martin beat nearly every team on the grid to hire Andy Cowell.

Adrian Newey would be the jewel in the crown but it’s still unclear where he will end up next year.