Alonso insists no sorrow over Aston Martin podium chances

Fernando Alonso has insisted he will not be disappointed if Aston Martin fails to score another podium this year. Alonso secured six top-three finishes in the opening 12 races of the season to enjoy a dream start to life at his new team, having made the move from Alpine over the winter. But since his second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, Alonso has failed to reach the podium as Aston Martin's rivals have offered challenges. Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have had the second-fastest car at points over recent races behind the dominant Red Bull, with Aston Martin seemingly taking a step backwards from its early-season exploits. While Alonso is hopeful that another podium will come his way before the season is over, he has conceded that his task will be harder compared to the start of the year. “I will not be disappointed [to not score another podium,” two-time World Champion Alonso told media including RacingNews365.com . “But it is more difficult now. “I think there is more competition up there fighting for podiums. As we said before four teams now fighting quite closely so it's gonna be difficult to get another six in the second half. “But I will be happy with two or three.”

Current form was 'unexpected'

Aston Martin currently sits third in the Constructors’ Championship, 51 points down on Mercedes. Its leap up the order turned heads at the start of the year after the Silverstone-based squad ended last season seventh in the standings. “It was unexpected in a way, how competitive the team was from the first race. We found ourselves in a very strong position,” added Alonso. “We maximised every opportunity in the first few races and then in the last few events we were maybe not as competitive for the first part of the year, but we still scored points in every single weekend. “Now in the second part of the year, I think we want to go back to a more competitive position. “I think everything is so tight now behind Red Bull, with Mercedes Ferrari Aston Martin McLaren. So we want to be in that fight until Abu Dhabi.”