Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll cite misfortune and poor timing as key reasons for missing out on points at Imola this weekend.
Fernando Alonso is not sounding the alarm despite another 11th-place finish at Imola, after starting fifth. The Aston Martin F1 driver is convinced that he and his teammate could have finished in the top 7.
During the race, the two-time world champion let his frustration show after suffering from poor safety car timing: “It’s torture, it’s carnage. I’m the unluckiest driver in this damn world!” He later explained those comments.
Alonso Reflects on Racing Misfortune
“I was just unlucky. The car was fantastic today, I was following the McLarens and Russell at the start of the race, which was a nice surprise for us, being competitive in the front part of the pack,” Alonso said.
“We were on course to secure sixth and seventh places with both cars, and the virtual safety car came out and allowed all the cars in front of us to pit and come out ahead.”
There are still many reasons to be satisfied: “It was very unlucky, but we fought hard. Even at the end, I overtook three or four cars in nine laps, which is something we weren’t used to this year, so it’s clearly a step forward.”
The Spaniard remains philosophical and acknowledges that bad luck is part of racing: “Today’s result is purely down to bad luck, but there will be races where we’ll get lucky and possibly score points we don’t deserve. Let’s wait for that opportunity.”
Stroll Frustrated But Remains Hopeful
In the other car, Lance Stroll finished even further back and shares the same view, lamenting the lack of luck with race timings: “Just bad luck with the safety car.”
The Canadian is not ready to be optimistic about the rest of the season just yet, despite the progress seen in qualifying, but he remains enthusiastic: “We’ll see next week on a very different track if we can keep this form.”
Aston Martin F1 does not rule out Alonso driving in 2027
Cowell leaves the door open for both parties to discuss it
Aston Martin does not rule out Fernando Alonso still driving one of its green Formula 1 cars in 2027.
Although the current contract of the 43-year-old Spaniard ties him to the Silverstone-based team beyond 2026—possibly as an ambassador or manager—it only guarantees him the driver’s seat for next year.
This means Alonso will drive an Aston Martin designed by Adrian Newey, but what follows remains uncertain.
“The future will tell,” said team boss Andy Cowell in Imola, when asked whether Alonso could still be driving for Aston Martin at 46 or older.
“For now, we’re looking forward to 2026. It’s fantastic that Fernando and Lance (Stroll) are signed through 2026. With the regulation change, we benefit from stability and experience, and we’ll see what happens.”
Cowell was asked whether it would be Alonso or the team who would make the contractual decision for 2027.
“I think, as always, it depends on both parties. Our clear objective is to build faster race cars year after year, and Fernando, like any driver, always wants to drive the best car.”
Asked whether Alonso could finally have the chance to become a three-time world champion at the wheel of a green F1 car, Cowell replied: “That would be fantastic.”
Despite recent performance struggles, the team apparently made a clear step forward at Imola with a major new aerodynamic package.
However, Newey is fully focused on the all-new 2026 project. When asked whether he is confident it will be successful from the start, Cowell replied: “No.”
“No team principal, here or elsewhere, can say that. What is clear is that we want to create a car capable of winning multiple races, and therefore a championship.”
“But none of us can sit here and answer yes to that.”
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