Aston Martin boss opens up on Fernando Alonso ‘infecting’ the team

Fernando Alonso's podium at the season-opening Bahrain GP was his first since the 2021 Qatar GP.

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has revealed that double world champion Fernando Alonso is “infecting” the entire Silverstone-based team with his remarkable energy, with the team principal having admitted that it currently feels like the team “are riding on a wave”.

Aston Martin have enjoyed a sensational start to 2023, on the back of a somewhat disappointing 2022 campaign where they claimed seventh in the constructors’ championship.

The British side have worked incredibly hard over the winter break to develop a car which is capable of challenging the typical frontrunners, something they proved at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Aston Martin were right amongst the leaders all weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit, with Alonso having topped two of the three free practice sessions.

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The veteran went on to qualify fifth, before claiming a sensational podium on his debut for the team, to demonstrate just how strong Aston Martin are this season.

Given that they have significantly more wind tunnel time than the other frontrunners due to have finished so low last season, the expectation is that Aston Martin will simply build in stature throughout the season, meaning a win is a real possibility.

There is certainly a real buzz around the team, with Krack having revealed that Alonso in particular is “very inspiring”.

“[He] is infecting all of us, to be honest,” Krack told Sky Sports F1.

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“It is like we are riding on a wave, it feels like, and him especially.

“You heard on the radio during the race [in Bahrain], how he was getting himself into this mode.

“It is very good for us, he is very inspiring – he pushes the team forward like that and everybody is flat out to try and do as much as possible.”

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The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix looks set to be another strong weekend for Aston Martin, with Alonso and Lance Stroll having claimed third and fourth in Free Practice 1.

Free Practice 2 was also very impressive by Alonso, with the Spaniard having claimed second behind Max Verstappen.

The 2005 and 2006 world champion looks like a real podium contender based-off his race run from free practice, suggesting that he could be in for an exciting Sunday.