Fernando Alonso has stated that Aston Martin is no longer among the top five Formula 1 teams.
Last season, the reinvigorated two-time F1 champion achieved multiple podiums with the Silverstone-based squad, leading him to commit to the team through the upcoming regulatory changes set for 2026.
Yet, the current season in 2024 has not been favorable, with Alonso, aged 42, failing to score any points at the recent Monaco race.
"I drove the last 50 laps thinking I was tenth," he told Spanish reporters. "When I crossed the line they told me I was eleventh, and I said 'All that stress for nothing!'" Alonso remarked with a smile.
"But it doesn't matter, it kept me awake."
The grand prix at Imola, held just a week prior, proved even more disastrous for the ex-Ferrari and McLaren racer, as he finished at the very bottom after a dreadful weekend.
"These two races in Imola and Monaco have been a big wake-up call for the team," Alonso commented. "But they are going to be very good for us.
"These two weekends have been crucial for understanding our weaknesses, for understanding the car, for improving. In difficulties you always learn more than when you win, when all the problems are overridden by the euphoria.
"We are learning a lot for the rest of the year, for 2025, for 2026," he added.
Alonso has acknowledged that, compared to the previous season, Aston Martin has noticeably regressed.
"Last season here we finished second," he recalled in Monaco, "then in Canada we also had strong pace. This year the sensations are different, with some doubts because we were not able to go fast.
"We have to try to change this trend now, but it will take a few races until we introduce a significant improvement. Better and worse days are coming, and we have to stay united.
"But looking at the results, we are no longer in the top five group. But that is more of a question for Mike (Krack)," Alonso concluded, mentioning his team boss.
