Alonso 'content' to face challenges during the 2025 season.

      "Today wasn’t bad luck"

      Fernando Alonso has expressed his acceptance of enduring difficulties throughout 2025. Since he began focusing on the team's entirely new project for 2026 in March, former Red Bull designer Adrian Newey attended his first race weekend in his new role with Aston Martin in Monaco. "I've been concentrating on the 2026 car," he stated, "but I’ve had lunchtime discussions with the small team still working on this year's vehicle, and we'll continue that for a few more months."

      Initially one of the slower teams of 2025, Aston Martin has recently made clear progress, and Newey indicated that another upgrade package will be introduced "around Silverstone." Meanwhile, Alonso, the star driver, has yet to score a point this season. During the Monaco race weekend, where he upheld his reputation for qualifying above the car's potential, a reporter from DAZN inquired about the position he would find satisfying by the end of the race on Sunday. "Winning in Australia in 2026," he replied with a smile.

      While he had been comfortably in the points Sunday, he ultimately retired due to engine issues. "Today wasn’t bad luck," Alonso maintained afterward. "A meteorite didn’t strike the engine. The engine failed because it wasn’t in good condition; it wasn’t properly prepared. There are six or seven Mercedes engines on the track, and mine failed. As long as I am performing at 100 percent, everything else will fall into place when it should.

      "If it had been personal mistakes or if I wasn’t driving well or didn’t feel comfortable with the car, or if I collided with someone at the start, I’d feel frustrated. But I make an effort to train every day and prepare as if I’m competing for the world championship, even without any points." At 43, Alonso emphasized that he views 2025 as a year of testing to set up for the next season. "Honestly, I’d be happy if the season goes like this and I win in Australia next year. For me, it makes no difference if I finish P8 here or there; it doesn’t affect whether I have 8 or 22 points at the end.

      "It’s next year, with the regulatory changes, that we hope to truly contend for the championship. So I’m okay with accumulating all the retirements this year."