Fernando Alonso flags tyre woes: can Aston Martin fix front-left degradation?

Fernando Alonso has identified front-left tyre degradation as a significant challenge for Aston Martin, affecting his race pace despite a solid ninth-place finish at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Alonso explained, "I was expecting more probably from the race. I felt more competitive in than in the race. We had a lot of front tyre degradation, so the front left was done by seven laps into the stint." This early tyre wear limited his ability to maintain grip and speed during crucial phases.

The Spaniard also pointed out that Aston Martin's straight-line speed deficit has been a persistent issue throughout the season, emphasizing it as a "crucial area for improvement in the races ahead."

Despite these challenges, Alonso showcased his skill with key overtakes, notably around the outside of Turn 3, leveraging grip to secure his first top-ten finish of the season.

The team now faces the task of addressing tyre management and aerodynamic efficiency to enhance performance and competitiveness in upcoming Grand Prix events.

Key quotes:
"We had a lot of front tyre degradation, so the front left was done by seven laps into the stint."
"Aston Martin's straight-line deficit has been a consistent problem this year and pinpointed it as a crucial area for improvement."

Fernando Alonso has flagged persistent front-left tyre degradation as a key issue for Aston Martin, impacting race performance despite his strong ninth-place finish at Barcelona. The team’s straight-line speed deficit remains a critical area for improvement in upcoming races.