Shanghai – The atmosphere was tense as drivers took to the track for the start of the 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix weekend, but it was anything but smooth sailing for Aston Martin. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll were able to secure points during the Sprint race on March 22, nor did they manage to qualify within the top ten for the main event.
Starting from tenth and eleventh position respectively in the Sprint race, Alonso and Stroll could only gain a single position each during the race, a disappointing outcome that left them just outside of the points. Alonso narrowly missed qualifying for Q3, finishing thirteenth, while Stroll followed closely in fourteenth place. "I hope the set-up changes pay off," Alonso remarked after the qualifiers, highlighting their attempts to adjust their cars for improved performance.
Stroll shared the sentiment, commenting, "The tyres made it more complicated, but everyone had challenges. We will continue to push to give it our all tomorrow." Their team principal, Mike Krack, recognized the tough circumstances, stating that the qualification results reflected their current car pace and underlined that tyre management would be critical in the upcoming race.
As the race unfolded on March 23, the challenges only intensified for Alonso. After a decent start that saw him gain a position, everything took a nosedive just four laps in when his brakes failed. He had been making headway and was jostling for position when noticeable smoke started emanating from his AMR25, ultimately leading to his retirement. Alonso confirmed his exit to the team as he suggested to the radio that he lost braking capability, leaving the team to grapple with another DNF (Did Not Finish).
This marked Alonso's second retirement in the first two races of the season—a dismal start for the veteran driver who had been looking to bounce back after a challenging opening race in Australia. Remember, during the first Grand Prix of the year, Alonso crashed out after failing to anticipate the gravel aftermath of a competitor's incident. It’s an inauspicious pattern for a driver of his caliber. Interestingly, this was also the second time in Alonso's career that he found himself sidelined in the opening two races, the last instance being back in 2017 with McLaren.
Meanwhile, Stroll managed to finish the race but could only secure a modest position. The Aston Martin duo headed into the weekend with hopes of turning their fortunes around, but reliability issues have now cast doubts on their early-season aspirations. The team had previously undergone improvements and aimed to avoid the reliability problems that plagued them last season. But with Alonso’s early exit and Stroll’s inability to make a significant impact, it’s clear that the Silverstone-based team has more work to do to catch up with their competitors.
On the other hand, McLaren demonstrated formidable prowess at the Chinese GP, clinching a one-two finish. Oscar Piastri led the race from start to finish, making the most of the situation after a solid start. Lando Norris followed suit, maintaining the pace and ensuring they were not threatened for the top positions throughout the race. Piastri celebrated his victory while Norris indicated that a collaborative team performance was evident in both strategy and execution.
Mercedes’ George Russell snagged the final podium position, finishing third, while the young Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressively placed eighth, showcasing promise for the future as he continues to adapt to the rigors of Formula 1. Sadly, for Red Bull, the season has not gone as anticipated. Max Verstappen managed to snag a fourth-place finish, but team rookie Lawson struggled to find his footing and ended up languishing at the back of the pack.
For Alonso and Aston Martin, these early setbacks have already placed them on the back foot. The next race at Suzuka is critical; however, with a record number of 24 races in the current season, there's still ample opportunity to rebound. Alonso remains optimistic that he can find the rhythm that has eluded him thus far, stating, "We have two weeks to analyze what is happening and what we have to do to improve results that are far from what everyone expected." This reflects a broader understanding that form can fluctuate in Formula 1.
As the season progresses, both the team and the drivers will need to address reliability concerns head-on while working to maximize their performance ahead of the next challenge. The competition is fierce, but for Fernando Alonso, resilience is part of his DNA, and there's no doubt that he's hungry to convert his vast experience into points as the championship unfolds.
