Fernando Alonso: “We have to do the same with the engine”

Fernando Alonso term 21st in the F1 Italian GP classification due to the enormous lack of power of his Honda engine compared to his opponents’ engines and will start 18th, with no options, this Sunday after gaining three positions because Kimi, Lawson and Albon will start from the back due to suspension.

This lack of top speed of the engine can be masked by the step forward taken by the Newey chassis on tracks with greater aerodynamic load and with little straight, as in Zandvoortwhere Fernando Alonso He was 9th in the race. But in monzawhere the F1s go for 75% of the lap with their foot on the board, there was nothing to do. and to make matters worse, his engine did not start before his final attempt.

Alonso I already warned on Thursday. He had no options and both Aston Martin They were the last two. Fernando set a maximum speed of 314 km/h, far from the 338 that Russell set. That says it all. And so, he was 2.6 behind the best in Q1.

Alonso recalled that there will be tracks where he can be in the fight in the middle zone, but he made it clear that what really matters is 2027. In monzaHonda’s main objective was to solve the drivability problems in its new engine and the Japanese speak positively in that regard. Although Fernando was clear.

“There is not much drivability in Monza, we go 90% of the lap with the pedal to the floor. Yes, we improved the drivability. I think that will be more evident perhaps in Madrid either Singapore. “At Monza you prefer to have more power than handling.”

“The chassis is very good. We saw it in Budapest and Zandvoort. As I said, there are better circuits than others in the remaining races this year. But, to be honest, we are at the back of the grid, so I am not too worried about this year,” said Fernando.

“If an opportunity arises to add one more point, perfect. If not, that’s fine too. We haven’t changed our mentality or our determination to have a better 2027. I think as a team we’re not in the position we think we should be in. It’s all a mountain to climb. We know there are a lot of things to improve. I think that, in the chassis, we have found the direction in which we have to work to improve for next year. Now we have to do the same with the engine.”

And he sent a new message to F1 due to the current regulation, with engines with 50% electric power that cause cars to lose speed at the end of the straight by exhausting that energy.

“It’s different from what they say about Monza. They call it the ‘Temple of Speed’. You know, we’d enter the circuit and reach a certain speed. But it’s not the ‘Temple of Speed’ anymore. I think we reached 350 or 360 km/h in Barcelona, ​​355 in Budapest, and I think here we are around 312 km/h in Monza. So it is no longer the ‘Temple of Speed’.

The engine did not start at the end of Q1

“Yes, the engine didn’t start, so we have a problem with the power unit. I don’t know if it’s the combustion engine, the battery or whatever, but yes, it didn’t start.

So we lost the potential we had in qualifying. I think there was something else to take away. We only used one set of tires and the time we set was with a set already used, after spending a long time waiting in the pit lane, with cold tires, etc.

So I think in the last attempt there was something more we could have achieved. We could have fought Cadillac, probably. But nothing more than that.”

There will be much better weekends

“It’s been a difficult, complicated weekend. I think Las Vegas is going to be another circuit that will highlight our weaknesses on the long straights, maybe Baku too. But there will be other weekends where we can have more fun, maybe Singapore or Austin or something like that. So we try to learn from these weekends and come back stronger next year on the straights.”

It was what I expected

“Yes, I think so. We knew that this circuit, like Las Vegas, was going to be the worst for us and the most complicated. We lose a lot. There is a significant deficit on the straights.

The data is there for everyone. We are not blind. We see the same data as you and we know that we have to work on power. But we are trying to support each other. And I think we have very clear objectives for next year.”

About the design of Adrián Campos’ helmet:

“I only take him here. This is special. I think Adrián was the man who brought me to single-seaters. I was in karting and he gave me that first opportunity. Then came the first test with Minardi, because I had a very good friendship with Giancarlo Minardi. And then I came to Formula 1. So if I am here it is thanks to Campos.

Now we have this incredible legacy with Campos Racing, because he created the team. And now Adrián Junior is taking the team to another level. So I am very happy for that and for Spain.

Also, Monza was one of the first circuits I came to with him, in Formula Nissan. And since he had competed in Monza in Formula 1, he explained to me some tips and tricks about the circuit. And I thought it was a good circuit to bring this helmet. The F1 regulations.”