Alonso optimistic after impressive Friday pace in Mexico City

Fernando Alonso told Formula1.com on Friday that Aston Martin’s showing at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez had "surprised everyone," including the team itself. After a solid run in the first free‑practice session, the two‑time world champion said the AMR26 was finally clicking, giving the team a platform to fight for points in Mexico City.

Alonso highlighted the car’s improved balance and tyre management, noting that the high‑altitude circuit had historically been a challenge for the British‑based outfit. "We’ve been working hard on the aerodynamics and the power unit integration, and today we saw the result of that work," he said. The Spaniard added that while the performance was encouraging, the team would remain cautious until the race weekend is complete.

Team principal Mike Krack echoed Alonso’s sentiment, describing Friday’s data as "better than we expected" and confirming that the engineers will focus on fine‑tuning the car’s cooling systems for the hotter race‑day conditions. The AMR26’s lap times placed it within striking distance of the midfield pack, a notable step up from the early‑season struggles that saw the team languish near the back of the grid.

For Indian fans, the Mexican Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode, with the race starting at 02:00 IST on Sunday. The practice sessions, which ran at 23:30 IST (FP1) and 02:30 IST (FP2) on Friday, are also available on the platform, allowing viewers to track the progress of their favourite drivers in real time.

Looking ahead, Alonso believes the momentum from Friday could translate into a strong qualifying performance on Saturday, where a good grid position would be crucial for a points finish. "If we can keep this pace and get a good start, we’ll be in a great position to fight for the podium or at least the top‑ten," he concluded.

Source: Formula1.com