2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg praised the “phenomenal job” being done by Aston Martin, with the Silverstone-based team having asserted themselves as a podium contender at this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Aston Martin caught everyone’s attention initially during pre-season testing, with new signing Fernando Alonso having been amongst the Red Bulls.
The double World Champion has carried his immense pace into the Bahrain GP this weekend, with him having finished second in Free Practice 1, before topping both Free Practice 2 and Free Practice 3.
Unfortunately, qualifying on the front row of the grid was just too big of an ask, with the 41-year-old having set the fifth fastest time in Q3.
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Incredibly, he still qualified ahead of both Mercedes drivers and was just six-tenths behind fellow double World Champion Max Verstappen, who claimed his 21st pole position at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Alonso is certainly right in the mix for a podium on Sunday, with his race pace having been almost identical to Verstappen’s during Free Practice.
Whether he’ll be able to demonstrate that on Sunday remains to be seen, with many expecting them to be a real threat to Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.
Given that they claimed seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, Aston Martin’s improvement is exceptional, with Rosberg believing it’s been made possible thanks to some instrumental signings.
“It’s looking to be the case that Aston have produced a really good car,” said Rosberg on Sky Sports F1.
“Phenomenal job by them! The factory there has always produced within the means that they had. They’ve always done a great, great job very, very often.
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“It’s been a couple of key hires that they’ve done in the last year – from Red Bull, for example, they brought in the number two aerodynamicist Dan Fallows, and he knows all about the concept of the Red Bull car for this particular set of regulations.
“Maybe, he brought a lot of knowledge there and then they were able to implement it very, very quickly. And it looks to be the case, because it’s working beautifully.
“Looking out on track, I mean, the car just looks awesome.”